Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has called on his team to reward the loyalty of their fans by winning the FA Cup after enduring their worst Premier League season finish.
United’s 2-0 victory over Brighton on the final day of the campaign secured an eighth-place finish, their lowest since Alex Ferguson’s team ended up 13th in 1990.
With hopes of European qualification hinging on the outcome of next weekend’s FA Cup final against Manchester City, Ten Hag emphasized the importance of triumph at Wembley.
A victory would not only deny City another domestic double, following their unprecedented fourth successive Premier League title, but it could also be crucial for Ten Hag’s future at Old Trafford.
Despite the disappointing league performance, which included 14 defeats and a negative goal difference, Ten Hag expressed deep gratitude towards the supporters. He highlighted the unwavering support from the fans throughout a challenging season marked by numerous injuries.
“We have the best fans in the world, and I genuinely mean this,” said Ten Hag. “I’ve never experienced such steadfast support in a season that has been far from satisfactory. Even during tough times, the fans have stood by us. They understand the reasons behind our struggles.”
Ten Hag continued, “We owe it to them to bring home a trophy next week. But beyond that, we need to deliver better performances consistently in the future. Our supporters deserve nothing less.”
United’s late goals from Diogo Dalot and substitute Rasmus Hojlund secured the win against Brighton, ending Roberto De Zerbi’s tenure as Brighton boss on a sour note.
As United prepares for the FA Cup final, the focus remains on delivering a victory to honor the dedication of their fans and to set a positive tone for the future.
