Erik ten Hag has admitted that Manchester United’s season has not been ‘good enough’ after the club’s lowest league finish of the Premier League era.
United won 2-0 at Brighton on the Premier League’s final day as late goals from Diogo Dalot and Rasmus Hojlund sealed three points at the Amex Stadium, though wins for Chelsea and Newcastle saw the Red Devils end the campaign eighth.
It is the club’s lowest league finish since 1989/90, while Ten Hag’s team will not compete in Europe next season unless they beat Manchester City in the FA Cup final next weekend.
Ten Hag reflected on a difficult season for United and said the club’s campaign has not been ‘good enough by far’.
“It is not good enough by far. Although we had less than 60 points two years ago, 58 points, eighth is the worst performance,” he said to BBC’s Match of the Day.
“It is the truth but we should have done better. We knows the reasons behind, everyone knows, but it is not the right moment to go into it. It’s not good enough.”
The Dutchman said he hopes that his team can salvage their season with silverware and a place in Europe, when United take on neighbours Manchester City at Wembley on May 25.
“It’s difficult but we talked before over this and it was a very tough season but by the end it is not good enough. We have a good opportunity going into the final, it’s a huge achievement but if you are in a final you want to win. It’s all about trophies and the opportunity to lift the cup,” he said to Sky Sports.
On how the club’s returning players can improve their hopes next weekend, he added: “It’s very important. In this season, especially in the backline for the second half of the season, so many injuries. All the times we had to adjust, make compromises. That was no good for our levels, for our points, for our results, everyone has seen this. But it is good when you go into a cup final that players are returning. Players are desperate to return and now we have one week to get them 100% fit and put out a competitive team for the final.”
“It is fantastic – the FA Cup final. It is such a crazy event, everyone is really excited to lift this cup.”
