Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has mentioned he’s “very proud” after their shock 2-1 win over Manchester Metropolis within the FA Cup closing 2024 – however didn’t identify under-pressure supervisor Erik ten Hag in his congratulatory message.
Reviews on the eve of the ultimate mentioned the match can be Ten Hag’s closing sport in command of his patchy two-season reign at Outdated Trafford, and the Dutchman’s gamers produced arguably their best efficiency of his tenure to beat the Premier League champions at Wembley Stadium.
“It’s a wonderful feeling to win the FA Cup closing at Wembley,” Ratcliffe mentioned in an announcement shortly after the ultimate whistle on Saturday.
“Manchester United clearly weren’t the favourites to win right now however they performed with complete dedication and ability and overcame one of many nice groups in soccer. We’re all very happy with the gamers and the employees who work tirelessly to help them.”
WHEN THE FULL-TIME WHISTLE BLEW 🥳@TeamViewer ↔️ #FindYourBetter pic.twitter.com/EfpNC1jSsG
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) Could 25, 2024
The brand new boss of United’s soccer operations watched on with legendary Crimson Devils supervisor Sir Alex Ferguson as Ten Hag gained the primary trophy of the businessman’s time on the membership, avenging United’s 2-1 defeat in the identical fixture in final season’s closing.
Ratcliffe has mentioned he desires to vary the tradition of a membership which has not gained the Premier League since Ferguson retired on the finish of the 2012/13 marketing campaign.
United had a poor season by the requirements of the 20-time English champions, ending eighth – 31 factors behind champions Metropolis – and exiting the Uefa Champions League on the backside of their group.
Ten Hag additionally gained the Carabao Cup and guided United to a third-placed end in 2022/23 however conceded that he didn’t know whether or not he would retain his place after lifting his newest silverware.
Your 2023/24 FA Cup winners…
🏆 MANCHESTER UNITED! 🏆#MUFC || #FACupFinal pic.twitter.com/UURrGlxqiz
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) Could 25, 2024
The 54-year-old mentioned United’s issues had been largely a results of their harm points after guaranteeing they may play in subsequent season’s Europa League.
Ten Hag confronted essentially the most separate accidents (45), second-most injured gamers (21) and joint-most most gamers out in a single sport week (11), based on figures from web site Premier Accidents.
“There may be a whole lot of work to do however we’ve worth within the squad and excessive potential,” mentioned Ten Hag. “The group is progressing and we’re profitable trophies.
“Two trophies in two years just isn’t dangerous. Three finals in two years just isn’t dangerous. In the event that they don’t need me, then I’ll go elsewhere to win trophies – as a result of that’s what I do.”
