Manchester United’s manager, Erik ten Hag, believes the team is in a better position compared to last year, despite the possibility of dropping to eighth place in the Premier League. The team’s final league game against Brighton on Sunday could determine their fate, with a defeat potentially marking their worst finish since the late 80s. Even with the risk of finishing lower, Ten Hag remains optimistic about the future, citing key decisions and injuries as factors affecting this season’s performance.
Ten Hag is looking forward to the return of many key players next season and is impressed with the progress of young talents like Kobbie Mainoo, Alejandro Garnacho, and Rasmus Hojlund. The emergence of Mainoo as a senior England international and the promising performances of Garnacho indicate a positive direction for the team. Additionally, the recent contributions of Amad Diallo and the experience gained by Hojlund following his move from Atalanta provide further reasons for optimism.
A win against Newcastle will secure a spot in the Europa Conference League play-offs for Manchester United, with the possibility of entering the Europa League if they defeat Manchester City in the FA Cup final. Ten Hag emphasizes the club’s appeal to players and looks forward to building a strong squad capable of competing at the highest levels, with a good mix of experienced players and emerging talents laying a foundation for success in the upcoming seasons.