"This defeat is a motivation, although it is very painful. However, Manchester United and the players have to overcome it to move forward, to achieve the goals set for the future" - Erik ten Hag shared after the FA Cup final.
The loss at Wembley last Saturday night was not a shock for the "Red Devils" because before the match, they were rated much lower than Man City. When Ten Hag watched Pep Guardiola and the opposing players lift the trophy, he understood that money could be successfully bought but that meant it had to be a smart way to spend.
What positive sign can Man United expect at the moment they are crushed by Man City in terms of playing style, spirit and class? That is the image of Marcus Rashford - who is still considered the most successful domestic player in the past 10 years at Old Trafford. The English striker did not fall to the ground, he approached each teammate such as Alejandro Garnacho or Wout Weghorst to help them get up when everyone was still in disappointment.
Rashford has been very good this season and could become the club's number 1 symbol in the coming seasons. However, that image also shows that Ten Hag has too few good options like Rashford to revive the team. Even a Man City reserve like Stefan Ortega knows how to make things difficult for Man United. From now on, Ten Hag has felt how difficult the upcoming transfer season will be.
"I don't want to criticize anyone at the moment because after all, the team had a great season. In general, the club is on the right track, but in some matches, it needs to be improved in more detail. That is a must if Man United want to go far and win many titles" - Ten Hag shared.
Ten Hag said, then the golden age of Man City and Liverpool will end. The 53-year-old strategist is qualified and confident enough to compete with Pep Guardiola in the following seasons. A season that ended with 3rd place in the Premier League and a League Cup title was considered a success for The Red Devils, at least if looking back at the crushing season last year.
"There is only one task in my life right now, which is to improve Man United, to make the team better.
I will always fight with myself so that today will be different from yesterday. In the coming time, I also want to discuss more with the team's leadership to see what to do for Manchester United.
The rest, not just the players, I also want to work more closely with the club staff to make everyone better in the coming season" - Ten Hag shared.
Leaving Wembley with a defeat, this was just the beginning for Ten Hag in England, unlike Pep Guardiola's journey over the past 7 years. The Dutch strategist wore a hat with the words "EtH" (abbreviated as Erik ten Hag) as an affirmation of his ego in this world's largest playground.
