Erik ten Hag sent a rousing message to his Manchester United players and fans after their final Premier League game of the season.
United came from behind to beat Fulham 2-1 at Old Trafford and seal a third-place league finish ahead of Newcastle. Jadon Sancho and Bruno Fernandes scored after David de Gea saved a penalty following Kenny Tete’s opener for Fulham.
But, as Ten Hag noted in an on-field speech after the game at the Theatre of Dreams, United have a far more important task in less than a week’s time – when they travel to Wembley for the FA Cup final against Manchester City on Saturday.
After thanking the United fans for their support throughout the campaign, he said: “There’s still one game to go. So I’m sure that these players will give everything to beat Manchester City next week.
“They’ll give everything, you [the fans] will give everything and I’m sure we have a really good chance to take the cup back to Old Trafford.”
Erik ten Hag: “We have a really strong chance of taking the FA Cup back to Old Trafford.” #MUNFUL pic.twitter.com/mTvbNBAYus
— Michael Plant (@MichaelPlant82) May 28, 2023
As well as winning their second domestic cup of the season, United have the chance to scupper Man City’s Treble ambitions in the cup final on June 3.
Speaking to the media later, Ten Hag added: “We beat them [City] in January. These players know when they play at their levels they can compete. We play against the best team, but there is a chance. We can’t find excuses to ourselves after. I’m sure we will play a good game.”
Ten Hag’s side finished the league campaign with 75 points – 17 more than they achieved in 2021/22 – and with a club record equalling 27 home victories in all competitions.
