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Manchester United got here away from the Amex stadium with a 2-0 win towards Brighton and Hove Albion however it was too little too late.
Targets from Diogo Dalot and Rasmus Hojlund, two of the few United gamers who can maintain their head up excessive after this season, gave the Purple Devils the victory.
Nonetheless, Newcastle United’s 4-2 win away to Brentford meant that the win was in useless for Erik ten Hag’s facet.
Too many dropped factors and too many pointless objectives conceded imply that United end eighth, their worst ever Premier League end.
The 2 aim cushion was additionally not sufficient to stop the Purple Devils’ ending with a damaging aim distinction for the primary time in Premier League historical past, as they concluded the marketing campaign with an embarrassing minus one aim distinction after 38 matches.
It signifies that they received’t be taking part in European soccer subsequent season, not even the Convention League, until they will by some means wrestle a victory away from Manchester Metropolis within the FA Cup ultimate in six days’ time.
Naturally, there was a lot dialogue on Ten Hag’s future and in distinction to the chest-beating confidence he displayed in his finish of season speech at Previous Trafford, the Dutchman stood immobile applauding the travelling followers for what appeared like an age.
Maybe it was the most important indication but that this was his final Premier League match in command of United.
Commenting on the sport as an entire in his post-match press convention (by way of Hayters TV) he claimed, “the primary half we aren’t 100% in management, however we made some adjustments and within the second half, we had been significantly better. Defending, organisation and urgent on the ball was way more efficient and in addition in possession, we saved the ball higher and we made actions in behind.”
The Dutchman additionally praised the influence of his younger striker, Rasmus Hojlund, who got here off the bench for the second time this week to attain an important aim.
“He got here in and confirmed freshness on Wednesday too. He makes an excellent impression.”
When requested to touch upon how he evaluated the Dane’s first season in England he argued that there’s all the time room for enchancment however that he did effectively contemplating the actual fact he had three accidents over the course of the marketing campaign.
He additionally reminded the journalist that the season shouldn’t be over and Hojlund might add to his whole of 16 objectives within the FA Cup ultimate subsequent weekend.
Ten Hag was additionally requested concerning the first goalscorer of the afternoon, Diogo Dalot, and the way he modified the match together with his runs into central positions, which resulted within the opening aim.
“It’s about making overloads in midfield and he’s an excellent runner in behind. He can do it from left full again and he can do it from proper again. He can assault from central areas but in addition vast areas. He’s a participant who developed as a full again however he can play not solely as a full again but in addition an inverted one. So I feel his improvement is excellent this season and we’re very happy with him.”
Ten Hag’s consideration was then turned to the cup ultimate and he was coy about whether or not his facet would deploy a false 9 formation like at first of the sport, because the supervisor claimed his facet had been harmful like this in a 3-1 loss on the Etihad earlier within the season.
Nonetheless, he additionally praised the type of Hojlund and claimed it was a “consideration” to start out the striker.
The previous Ajax man was additionally relieved that he had defensive choices to select from as all of Lisandro Martinez, Raphael Varane and Jonny Evans received minutes of their legs earlier than the ultimate.
“Our centre half place was a nightmare throughout the season. If you wish to have outcomes, one of many foundations of group is a partnership of excellent centre backs and we didn’t have this.”
“I’m glad we now have one thing to select from and we in all probability want greater than two subsequent week.”
The under-fire coach additionally took a while to lavish reward on the travelling followers and claimed, “it’s superb, we now have the very best followers on this planet and I imply this. I’ve by no means had the expertise of a season like this. By far not adequate and the supporters are with us in dangerous instances and the great instances. We have now to pay them again and do the whole lot to offer them a trophy but in addition for the longer term.”
United and Erik ten Hag will now try so as to add slightly gloss to the season by going one higher than they did final 12 months by successful the FA Cup towards their cross-city rivals.
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