Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has expressed his disappointment and described his side as “broken” after their 2-1 defeat to Manchester City in the FA Cup final. Losing to their rivals was not the season finale United had envisioned, but Ten Hag was proud of his team’s effort.
United had a fairly impressive season under Ten Hag, winning the Carabao Cup and finishing third in the Premier League, qualifying for the Champions League. Despite falling short in the FA Cup final, the manager saw the overall campaign as a success, exceeding initial expectations. Ten Hag admitted that City, one win away from a historic title, deserved victory, but also insisted that United put up a strong fight.
The season for United had its highs and lows. They won the League Cup to secure their first silverware since 2017 and briefly threatened to challenge for the Premier League title. However, heavy defeats against Brentford, Manchester City, and Liverpool exposed weaknesses within the team. Marcus Rashford’s impressive goalscoring performance highlighted the lack of replacement firepower, with forwards Anthony Martial and Anthony unavailable for the FA Cup final.
By contrast, Manchester City boasted a deep bench full of attacking quality, highlighting the need for United to undergo a costly rebuild in the summer. The club have been linked with a move for Tottenham and England forward Harry Kane, but his pursuit could face challenges. The goalkeeper position is another topic of debate, with David De Gea’s recent high-profile mistakes a cause for concern. De Gea’s contract situation adds to the uncertainty in the team’s plans.
The ownership uncertainty surrounding the club, with the Glazer family considering a sale, adds another layer of complexity to United’s future. Ten Hag chose not to comment on the situation, preferring instead to finalize the season, analyze the team’s performance, and make the necessary adjustments. The Dutch manager is determined in his aim to restore United to their former glory and has already discussed his ideas with the club.
Despite the disappointment of the FA Cup final defeat, Ten Hag remains confident of his team’s progress. United’s season has had its ups and downs, but the manager is determined to push the club’s and team’s performance forward.
