United was defeated 1-0 at Palace to end a terrible season. They scored the fewest points in Premier League history but were given a reprieve when Brighton beat West Ham 3-1 to ensure the Red Devils qualified for the Europa League. David de Gea was blunt in his assessment of the team’s season, issuing a warning to individuals in the dressing room who he believes lack devotion to the cause.
United sealed a place in the Europa League during Sunday’s final day of the season despite suffering a 1-0 defeat away at Crystal Palace, with Ralf Rangnick’s side finishing sixth ahead of West Ham in the Premier League table in the last game of the German’s interim spell in charge.
The Red Devils will now be heading into next season in England’s top-flight and Europe with Ten Hag at the helm, who leaves Ajax after guiding the Dutch side to a second consecutive Eredivisie title. With the Dutch season finishing earlier than the English Premier League, Ten Hag was in attendance at Selhurst Park to watch his new team in action and saw them stumble to a final day defeat away at Palace.
De Gea is excited to work with Ten Hag
Ten Hag has a major job on his hands as he attempts to overhaul a squad that has become stale. They were fortunate that West Ham’s defeat by Brighton meant they could qualify for the Europa League and not dip into the Europa Conference League.
United are primed for a significant overhaul this summer, with Ten Hag running the rule over the players at Selhurst Park. Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea implied that his teammates are not up to scratch after calling on the Red Devils’ board to sign ‘good’ players with ‘character’ in the summer transfer window. Incoming boss Erik ten Hag watched on as a lacklustre United side lost against Crystal Palace in the final game of the Premier League season.
De Gea has been one of the few plus points of United’s season and he is perhaps the only first-team squad member guaranteed a spot under Ten Hag. The Spaniard is usually laid-back but even he was peeved after the end of a ‘horrible’ season and he’s advised any players that do not want to be at the club to exit in the transfer window.
Overview
United and Arsenal are the two English sides to qualify for the Europa League, with both sides’ fate being confirmed on a dramatic final day of the campaign which also saw Manchester City pip Liverpool to the title with a 3-2 win over Aston Villa. United have a good recent record in the Europa League. While it is Europe’s second-best club competition, they did win it in the 2016/17 campaign. They also finished as runners up in 2020/21 and reached the semi-finals in 2019/20.
