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Manchester United got here away from the Amex stadium with a 2-0 win in opposition to Brighton and Hove Albion but it surely 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.
Nevertheless, Newcastle United’s 4-2 win away to Brentford meant that the win was in useless for Erik ten Hag’s aspect.
Too many dropped factors and too many pointless objectives conceded imply that United end eighth, their worst ever Premier League end.
The 2 purpose cushion was additionally not sufficient to stop the Purple Devils’ ending with a unfavourable purpose distinction for the primary time in Premier League historical past, as they concluded the marketing campaign with an embarrassing minus one purpose distinction after 38 matches.
It signifies that they received’t be taking part in European soccer subsequent season, not even the Convention League, except they will one way or the other 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on Ten Hag’s future and in distinction to the chest-beating confidence he displayed in his finish of season speech at Outdated Trafford, the Dutchman stood immobile applauding the travelling followers for what appeared like an age.
Maybe it was the largest indication but that this was his final Premier League match in control of United.
Commenting on the sport as a complete in his post-match press convention (by way of Hayters TV) he claimed, “the primary half we’re not 100% in management, however we made some modifications and within the second half, we had been a lot better. Defending, organisation and urgent on the ball was far more efficient and in addition in possession, we stored 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 a significant purpose.
“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 very fact he had three accidents over the course of the marketing campaign.
He additionally reminded the journalist that the season isn’t over and Hojlund may add to his complete of 16 objectives within the FA Cup ultimate subsequent weekend.
Ten Hag was additionally requested in regards to 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 purpose.
“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 additionally huge areas. He’s a participant who developed as a full again however he can play not solely as a full again but additionally 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 aspect would deploy a false 9 formation like in the beginning of the sport, because the supervisor claimed his aspect had been harmful like this in a 3-1 loss on the Etihad earlier within the season.
Nevertheless, 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 bought 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 a great workforce is a partnership of excellent centre backs and we didn’t have this.”
“I’m glad we’ve got one thing to select from and we most likely 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 wonderful, we’ve got the perfect 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 occasions and the great occasions. We now have to pay them again and do every part to provide them a trophy but additionally 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 yr by successful the FA Cup in opposition to their cross-city rivals.
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