Following a triumphant victory that solidified Manchester United’s third-place finish with an impressive 75 points, Erik ten Hag subtly directed a message towards the club’s hierarchy for their failure to support him during the January transfer window. 

Ten Hag’s comments alluded to the substantial investments made by rival clubs, including Liverpool’s acquisition of Cody Gakpo (£37m), Newcastle’s recruitment of Anthony Gordon (£45m), and Chelsea’s massive £320m-plus spending spree on eight players, including Enzo Fernández and Mykhailo Mudryk. In contrast, Ten Hag only managed to secure loan deals for Wout Weghorst and Marcel Sabitzer after Cristiano Ronaldo’s departure and Christian Eriksen’s unfortunate injury. Follow your favourite Premier League team with attractive football betting odds from Nextbet. 

When questioned about his plans for summer recruitment, Ten Hag stated, “The club knows if you want to play top four, compete for trophies in this tough league, then you have to invest, otherwise you don’t have a chance because other clubs will do.” He acknowledged the significant investments made by competing clubs during the winter transfer window and expressed pride in his team for overcoming the odds without substantial reinforcements. However, he emphasized the need for investment to continue progressing and remain competitive.

While recognizing the potential within his team and individual players, Ten Hag underlined the importance of making further investments. He commended the progress made throughout the season, attributing it to the hard work of the players and coaching staff. However, he stressed that additional investment was crucial to reaching the desired level of success.

Looking ahead, Ten Hag shifted his focus to the FA Cup final against Manchester City, where he aimed to halt their rivals’ pursuit of emulating Sir Alex Ferguson’s iconic 1999 treble-winning team. Despite a 6-3 defeat to City earlier in the season, Ten Hag remained optimistic. He highlighted previous victories Manchester United had achieved against their rivals and expressed confidence in the team’s ability to compete at their highest level. 

While acknowledging the challenge of facing the best team, Ten Hag urged his players to seize the opportunity, give their all, and avoid making excuses after the game. He was certain that Manchester United would deliver a strong performance.

Ten Hag could draw inspiration from Manchester United’s recent victory over Fulham, which showcased their spirit, energy, and high-intensity style of play. This dynamic approach may be their best hope for overcoming the reigning champions at Wembley. Furthermore, Ten Hag provided a positive update, stating that winger Antony would likely be available for selection, potentially bolstering the team’s prospects. Get all the latest updates from the Premier League only in Nextbet Sports.