Erik ten Hag says Manchester United must “do everything” to reward the loyalty of the “best fans in the world” by winning the FA Cup, following the club’s worst Premier League finish.
Although United defeated Brighton 2-0 on the final day of the season on Sunday, it was only enough for an eighth-place finish – their worst end to a season since finishing 13th under the famous manager Alex Ferguson in 1990.
Hopes of qualifying for Europe next season now depend on United beating Manchester City in the FA Cup final next weekend.
The result at Wembley could significantly influence the Dutchman’s future at the helm, after a traumatic season at Old Trafford.
United will have the added incentive of trying to deny their local rivals City another domestic double, after Pep Guardiola’s team secured an unprecedented fourth consecutive English title on Sunday.
But even if United wins the FA Cup, it cannot mask the pain of a season in which the 20-time league champions suffered 14 defeats and finished with a negative goal difference.
United manager Ten Hag thanked the United supporters after late goals from Diogo Dalot and substitute Rasmus Hojlund secured a victory for the Red Devils in Roberto De Zerbi’s final match as Brighton manager.
“We have the best fans in the world and I mean that,” said Ten Hag, whose squad has been plagued by injuries this season.
“I have never experienced this when you have a season like ours, which is far from good enough, where the fans stay with us. They are with us in the bad season and in the bad times they are there. I think they also understand why the bad times are there. But we have to repay them and we have to do everything to give them a trophy next week – but also for the future, we have to perform better,” added the Dutch manager.