Gary Neville doesn't believe that expectations will be too high for Erik ten Hag at Manchester United, though getting back into the top four should be the aim.
Ten Hag was able to witness the true scale of the job he has on his hands in the flesh on Sunday as he was in attendance for United's final game of the season, a fittingly miserable defeat to Crystal Palace to round off the worst Premier League campaign in the club's history. Ralf Rangnick's side finished the season on 58 points and only managed to scrape Europa League qualification due to West Ham losing their own last match as well.
It's been a disastrous campaign, especially when you consider that United were expected to challenge for the title and perhaps end their trophy drought before it began. Those aims came nowhere near to completion and Neville can't see the targets being set that high for next season, with Ten Hag having a massive job on his hands to turn the flailing squad around.
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"We’ve not seen the game but you can imagine it can’t you? Crystal Palace beating Man United 1-0," Neville said on his podcast. " It’s been a desperate season and Erik ten Hag has seen a glimpse of it today probably what the rest of us have seen all the way through.
"I don’t think a Manchester United fan wanted to watch a game in the last few weeks we've almost wanted the season to end immediately, switch our attention to the summer and see a manager with optimism. He’s got a big job, expectation next season with the four managers and clubs that are in front of him at the moment won’t be too high.
"Yes, Manchester United will want to break into the top four but there will be time and patience. It’s gone from months ago, United were preparing for a Europa League final and finishing second above Liverpool. If you think where we are today, I can’t even explain it."
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