United ‘broken’ after cup final loss but boss calls season a success
04 June 2023 - 19:15
byLori Ewing
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
Bruno Fernandes of Manchester United scores the team's goal from the penalty spot during the FA Cup final between Manchester City and Manchester United at Wembley Stadium in London, England, June 3 2023. Picture: SHAUN BOTTERILL/GETTY IMAGES
London — Losing the FA Cup final to rivals Manchester City was not the season finale Manchester United had dreamed of, and manager Erik ten Hag said his team was broken after their 2-1 defeat on Saturday.
The first FA Cup final between the two Manchester teams ended with the trophy heading to the blue side of the city.
“We are broken, disappointed of course,” Ten Hag said. “So it's tough. But I am proud of my team.”
United captured the Carabao Cup in February and at one point were flirting with the Premier League lead, leading to talks of a potential domestic treble in a fantastic debut season for Ten Hag.
While United finished third in the Premier League, their manager summed up the season as a success.
“We had a fantastic season,” Ten Hag said. “More than we could have imagined at the start. We finished third, qualified for the Champions League and we won a trophy and made another final. I am very happy with my team.”
United could have killed off City’s hopes of becoming only the second English team to complete the treble of lifting the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League trophies in the same season.
Instead, Saturday’s result means that City are now one win away from emulating United’s 1999 feat that was achieved under Alex Ferguson.
Ten Hag was not pleased on Saturday with the two “soft” goals conceded to Ilkay Gundogan, who netted both with left-footed volleys, including the first one just 12 seconds after kick off.
“But we fought ourselves [into] the game,” the Dutch manager said. “There was a great spirit. We were really hard to beat and I think also in the end we could have made the equaliser.”
Bruno Fernandes scored United’s goal from the penalty spot. After Gundogan put City back on top, United pressed for the equaliser in the dying minutes, including a goalmouth scramble in injury time.
“We wanted to end the season in a different way, it wasn’t possible but we are aware that we have made the right steps for the future this season,” Fernandes said.
“Obviously we started the game in a really bad way. But we came back into the game. I think in the first half we had really good spells on the ball. After we had our goal, we had some more counters and chances where we could have scored,” he said.
“In the second half again, we conceded an early goal, another amazing goal by Gundo. After we had still some chances where we could have scored but we didn’t and City deserved to win.
With the season behind them, Ten Hag was asked about what comes next. “I only have one plan and that is to improve this club.”
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
United ‘broken’ after cup final loss but boss calls season a success
London — Losing the FA Cup final to rivals Manchester City was not the season finale Manchester United had dreamed of, and manager Erik ten Hag said his team was broken after their 2-1 defeat on Saturday.
The first FA Cup final between the two Manchester teams ended with the trophy heading to the blue side of the city.
“We are broken, disappointed of course,” Ten Hag said. “So it's tough. But I am proud of my team.”
United captured the Carabao Cup in February and at one point were flirting with the Premier League lead, leading to talks of a potential domestic treble in a fantastic debut season for Ten Hag.
While United finished third in the Premier League, their manager summed up the season as a success.
“We had a fantastic season,” Ten Hag said. “More than we could have imagined at the start. We finished third, qualified for the Champions League and we won a trophy and made another final. I am very happy with my team.”
United could have killed off City’s hopes of becoming only the second English team to complete the treble of lifting the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League trophies in the same season.
Instead, Saturday’s result means that City are now one win away from emulating United’s 1999 feat that was achieved under Alex Ferguson.
Ten Hag was not pleased on Saturday with the two “soft” goals conceded to Ilkay Gundogan, who netted both with left-footed volleys, including the first one just 12 seconds after kick off.
“But we fought ourselves [into] the game,” the Dutch manager said. “There was a great spirit. We were really hard to beat and I think also in the end we could have made the equaliser.”
Bruno Fernandes scored United’s goal from the penalty spot. After Gundogan put City back on top, United pressed for the equaliser in the dying minutes, including a goalmouth scramble in injury time.
“We wanted to end the season in a different way, it wasn’t possible but we are aware that we have made the right steps for the future this season,” Fernandes said.
“Obviously we started the game in a really bad way. But we came back into the game. I think in the first half we had really good spells on the ball. After we had our goal, we had some more counters and chances where we could have scored,” he said.
“In the second half again, we conceded an early goal, another amazing goal by Gundo. After we had still some chances where we could have scored but we didn’t and City deserved to win.
With the season behind them, Ten Hag was asked about what comes next. “I only have one plan and that is to improve this club.”
Reuters
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Most Read
Related Articles
Karim Benzema leaves Real Madrid after 14 years at club
USM Alger make history with Confederation Cup win
Lionel Messi to leave Paris St Germain, coach confirms
Guardiola wins manager of the year award
Maguire has decision to make about Man United future, Ten Hag says
Published by Arena Holdings and distributed with the Financial Mail on the last Thursday of every month except December and January.