Believe was key for United this season - Says Ten Hag.

Speaking at the club's end of the season awards ceremony, Manchester United boss, Erik Ten Hag, said belief in themselves and each other was key to United's improvement this season.

United, finished third on the English Premier League table, won the Carabao Cup, and are in the final of the Emirates FA Cup to played against Manchester City on Saturday at the Wembley Stadium.

But one of the most important achievements for Ten Hag and his troops is the UEFA Champions League qualification, a tournament they missed out on last season.

"Many things are key, but belief that you [can] win the game is the most important,” said Ten Hag as quoted by manutd.com

"When you show confidence on the pitch and believe in the plan and believe in your colleagues and your team-mates, then you will win."

"I think we did it [believe] in so many games – but we also dealt with setbacks. 

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Ten Hag applauded his team's resilience, saying it is what they need to win trophies.

He added that the team is happy that they are going towards the right direction, although they are not yet satisfied.

"[This] is a resilient team of character and personality, that are all attributes that you need for a successful season [and] for winning trophies."

"We have seen it before the season, after the start of the season, and then where we came from – we are happy, we are [going] in the right direction, but satisfied? No, we are not."

Rashford wins big at Man United awards.

Marcus Rashford was the biggest winner on Monday night during the Manchester United end of the season awards ceremony.

Rashford walked away with the Player of the Season Award, which made him only the second Man United Academy graduate behind club legend, Ryan Giggs, to win the award.

And it didn't end there for the forward, as his teammates voted him as the Players players of the Season, ahead of another top contender, David De Gea, who has won the award a whopping four times.

It must be said, Rashford deserves his accolades, having been a notable contributor in the team's revival.

Rashford scored 30 goals, while contributing eleven assists across all competitions, playing a major role in helping United finish third in the English Premier League table.

Another winner was Antony Matheus Dos Santos, simply known as Antony.

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The 23-year-old Brazilian winger scooped the Goal of the Year Award for his sublime strike against Barcelona.

Although he didn't contribute as much as he was expected for United this season, he did however, score four goals, and provided two assists in 25 matches.

Former Bafana Bafana forward, and AmaZulu coach, Benni McCarthy, who currently working at United as a forward's coach, must be satisfied with his contribution in Rashford's resurgence this season,

Benni was credited for his help with the player finding his scoring boots and hunger for goals, with Rashford himself, speaking highly of him.

United will be hoping to wrap up their season on a high note by winning the Emirates FA Cup on Saturday at Wembley Stadium against Manchester City. 

We will try absolutely everything to win - De Gea.

Manchester United goalkeeper, David De Gea, says they will try everything to win when they take on Manchester City in the FA Cup final on Saturday 03 June at Wembley Stadium.

The English Premier League Golden Glove Award winner, who saved a penalty in Man United's last 2-1 win over Fulham during the weekend, added that for the whole year they have been working to be in a position to win titles, and they will give Saturday a full go.

"Tomorrow we recover and we start to prepare for [the final]," De Gea told MUTV.

"We know it’s a big final, a special game, and the whole year we’ve been fighting to be in the position to win titles and we will try absolutely everything to try to win."

De Gea, who has been fantastic between the sticks for United this season, is happy with the improvement the club has shown compared to the 2021/22 season.

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"The improvement is there, of course, we still have far [to go] but [it is] a massive improvement from last season.

Having already won the Carabao Cup, and managed a third place finish which takes United back to the UEFA Champions League, De Gea believes they had a great season.

He also credits United boss, Erik Ten Hag for their revival this season, who always emphasizes focus and the will to win every match.

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"Winning a cup, finishing third, it’s never easy to finish in Champions League places in England, and then we have another final, a big final – I think at the moment it is a great year.

"The manager wants us to be focused every game, to win every game.

"He was shouting before the game ‘come on guys, we have to finish properly, winning mentality."

This club belongs in the Champions League - Ten Hag.

Manchester United boss, Erik Ten Hag, says United are back where they belong, after securing their UEFA Champions League spot following their 4-1 victory over Chelsea.

United are heading back to the UCL after last participating in it in the 2021/22 season.

Ten Hag believes a Champions League spot is a huge achievement considering the competitiveness of the English Premier League.

"It’s really important [to finish in the top four]. This club belongs in the Champions League and it’s not so easy in the Premier League. It’s a tough competition, strong, with a lot of teams competing for that. And we made it, so we make a good season," said Ten Hag as quoted by manutd.com.

Ten Hag, whose Man United revival project seems to be headed towards the right direction, having won the Carabao Cup, and qualified for the UCL, says he is happy at United, and the spirit within the club is good.

The Champions League qualification, specifically, is the most important step for United, according to their boss.

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"I am comfortable here. But I remember after the second game, Brentford, it was tough. But, yeah, I think we construct a team, it's a good spirit.

"We work very good in the training pitch and we get results. We are improving and I think we are in the right direction and we know we are still not there where we want to be, but we are back in the Champions League. That was, I think, a really important step. We had to do it because if you want to be successful, you have to be in the Champions League."

Now that United have made it into the UCL, Ten Hag has set his sights on finishing third in the EPL.

He has highlighted the importance of winning their next match, with Newcastle United breathing down their necks.

"It's important, Sunday,  we still can be third in the league. It's important to keep [our] focus [and] not get injuries as well. So it gives us good goals for Sunday. But also get a [new] home record, in the history [of United], we can get that. So it's going to be an important game. We want to win that game."

Man United plays Fulham in their next match on Sunday 28 May at Old Trafford. Kick-off will be at 17:30.

We want to compete with the best - Ten Hag.

Manchester United will host Chelsea in a crucial English Premier League encounter on Thursday 25 May at Old Trafford, with the Kick-off at 21:00.

Man United needs just a point to secure a UEFA Champions League spot next season, with two matches remaining.

United boss, Erik Ten Hag, says they want to compete with the best, which means playing in the UCL, and that makes winning against Chelsea on Thursday evening non-negotiable.

"We want to compete with the best and then you have to be in the Champions League. It is simple," Ten Hag told journalists at Carrington earlier today, as quoted by manutd.com.

"First, we have to win the game tomorrow and get the job done. Then it is about the judgement from others. If it's a good performance or a bad performance or a poor performance."

Ten Hag says United are on a journey back to winning trophies, a journey that has been good with one trophy in the bag.

He insists though, that good is not good enough, they can always do better.

"We are in a project and we want to go back and win trophies, [we have] won one trophy and we want to win more trophies and we want to compete with the best. We are still in a journey, but we think we are in the right direction. We can always be better because good is not good enough.''

United will be boosted by the return to fitness of Marcus Rashford, who has been a revelation for them this season.

Rashford missed United's 1-0 win over Bournemouth due to illness.

"It looks like [he will be available], but yesterday he returns in training and he looks quite fit but we have to see today what the outcome is from the training - how did he recover and then we will make our choices," said Ten Hag regarding Rashford's return. 

He keeps surprising us - Ten Hag on Casemiro.

Casemiro scored a beautiful overhead kick goal, Brazilian style, on Saturday when Manchester United beat Bournemouth 1-0 at the Vitality Stadium.

The midfield kingpin, who formed part of a mean midfield partnership with Luka Modric and Toni Kroos at Real Madrid before his move to United, has continued to show how great a talent he is with his contribution at Old Trafford this season.

His has done some sterling work on and off the ball in his 44 appearances for Man United across all competitions, scoring four goals and contributing six assists.

That has left Man United boss, Erik Ten Hag, without any regrets for signing the 31-year-old, whom he says keeps surprising them with his excellent performances.

"He keeps surprising us," said Ten Hag in his post-match press conference as quoted by manutd.com.

"He’s such a brilliant football player, we know him as very good organisation, positioning, anticipating, intercepting a lot of balls, winning duels, a fighter, keeping the team together, but also in possession his passing, his distribution, but also finishing. Just a great football player. 

"We emphasise a lot and where we train on a lot, it’s about the movements when we are in the final third and movements of course has to come from the front line, second line just behind but also from the third line with fullbacks and with Casemiro coming from there.

“The movement is great, the touch from Christian Eriksen I think is great and the finish is brilliant."

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Ten Hag says Casemiro has exceeded the expectations they had when they signed him, in terms of what he brings to the club.

"Absolutely, by far,"

"One of the things that came out of our analysis, we missed a player in the midfield. A strategist and we searched for the strategist – it was not easy because they are not many in that profile who fits to the standard of Manchester United and so we are happy we found him."

Ten Hag sings Garnacho's praises.

Alejandro Garnacho came back from a two months injury lay off to score Manchester United's second goal in their 2-0 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday at Old Trafford.

And Man United boss, Erik Ten Hag, is impressed with the 18-year-old.

Ten Hag has highlighted Garnacho's maturity and his ability to dominate opponents with his skill as his biggest strength.

He has also challenged the youngster to fight for a place in the starting eleven.

"He came in and did almost everything good, and scored a great goal that will give him belief. It’s good for us for the rest of the season, that he’s back, and can have an impact," Ten Hag told www.manutd.com

https://www.manutd.com/en/news/detail/erik-ten-hag-sets-alejandro-garnacho-challenge-after-man-utd-2-wolves-0-on-13-may-2023

"One of the aspects of the biggest talent is that they are mature.

"First, they take responsibility then second, they are mature to bring in the skills and have belief that they can dominate opponents.

"Once again, he did it. He has had a big impact in many games: whether starting or coming on, he’s straight into the game and that’s so important for the squad.

"I’m happy we can bring in young players and, hopefully, he will progress so quickly that he can compete for a starting XI position, because that is his next challenge."

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Ten Hag on where Garnacho needs to improve....

"Making decisions, being aware, scanning situations, when to go one-on-one, get behind, when to go for goal or make an extra pass.

"Decisions like that are what makes a good player a top player – that is the difference. But when you see it overall, he’s a huge talent and very brave.

"It shows that the pathway is open for young players at United. And if you work in the right way, work hard, we can guide you to get into the team. But, in the end, it’s about the player – he has to invest and have a plan to do it."