Bruno Fernandes says Manchester United cannot view this season as a success – despite securing a top-four finish and winning a trophy.
United guaranteed Champions League football for next season after beating Chelsea 4-1 at Old Trafford on Thursday.
Erik ten Hag also ended the club's six-year wait for a trophy in his debut season by leading United to a 2-0 victory over Newcastle in the Carabao Cup final. United can lift a second trophy – and wreck local rivals Manchester City's bid to emulate their 1999 Treble – with victory in the FA Cup final next week.
Despite that, skipper Fernandes said United cannot consider this season a successful one – because the demands at the club are so much higher. Asked if the campaign constituted a success, Fernandes said: “No. It's a positive season, but not successful, because success is different for this club and for us players it has to be, too.
“As players we're not happy just to get into the top four. We want more, we aim for more, because we believe in this team that there are enough qualities to go forward.
“We did win a trophy. We did get into the top four. Now we have another final, but whatever happens in that final will not change anything about the season.
“One game can't define a season that has been long, with so many games. We've been doing really well and had our moments where we could have done better. But still we won the Carabao Cup, we're in the final of FA Cup, in Europa League it could have been better, but it is what it is.”
Fernandes said securing a top-four place was the bare minimum for a club of United's stature and ambition, and said next season they must aim higher. “It's not a relief,” said Fernandes. “Everyone was aware it was really important for us to get the top four.
“At the same time, I think everyone was convinced we'd do it. We should have done it a little bit earlier, but obviously we had two away games where we didn't get any points and it complicated it.
“But we did it and that's the most important thing. After we couldn't fight anymore for the title, we had to fight for our top four and we did it.
“We're really happy to be in the Champions League next season, but it's kind of an obligation for this club to be in these positions.
“We want to be there, we have to enjoy it and do the best we can because I think we have the qualities to play and to get a good position.”
United lost their opening two league games under Ten Hag and were bottom of the table, but Fernandes said he never doubted they would recover.
“I've said this many times that the Liverpool game was the one that changed everything,” said Fernandes. "Because of the result, obviously [United won 2-1], but already before that, after the game against Brentford away, everyone understood we had to do better.
"The belief has always been there, because since the beginning we believed in the ideas of the manager and in the players we have.”
