Erik ten Hag wants Manchester United to use FA Cup final defeat as motivation
Manchester United chief Richard Arnold reportedly praised Erik ten Hag in a speech following the club’s 2-1 FA Cup final defeat to Manchester City on Saturday. A brace from Ilkay Gundogan gave Pep Guardiola’s side the trophy at Wembley. But there was seemingly a positive mood around the Red Devils, despite missing out on a second trophy of the season.
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And they also secured a first trophy since 2017 in the form of the Carabao Cup, with Casemiro and Marcus Rashford on target in a 2-0 win over Newcastle.
Beating City, and denying their rivals a treble, would have been a bonus.
Arnold is happy with the work Ten Hag has achieved at the club so far.
But the Dutchman then proceeded to warn the squad that further improvement was needed as they look to build in the progress they’ve made.
United were still outplayed by City, with a penalty from Bruno Fernandes not enough on the day.
Their rivals are now on the verge of a treble, with Inter Milan the only thing preventing Guardiola’s side from another trophy triumph.
Ten Hag called on his side to learn from the defeat to City in the immediate aftermath of the showdown, insisting he was determined to ensure better days ahead.
"I have only one plan: that is to improve this club and to improve this team,” he said.
“I will fight for [it]. I have my ideas and I already told the club what we have to do for that.
"But I have to work with my staff, with my players to be better next season.
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