Manchester United secured their place in next season’s Champions League following their 4-1 hammering of Chelsea at Old Trafford in the Premier League on Thursday evening.
The Red Devils scored goals from Casemiro, Anthony Martial, Bruno Fernandes, and Marcus Rashford to move up to third in the Premier League.
Even though Chelsea spent more than £500 million ($620 million) on new players, their season was summed up by a terrible night. They lost for the eighth time in 10 games since Frank Lampard returned as interim manager.
On the other hand, Ten Hag’s first season in charge has been a success so far. In February, United won the League Cup, which ended a six-year trophy drought.
Next month, United could win more trophies if they stop Manchester City from getting the treble in the FA Cup final.
But one of Ten Hag’s main goals when he took over as manager after a terrible season in which United finished sixth was to get back into Europe’s top competition the following year.
“I think (it is) a successful season but the season is not finished,” said Ten Hag.
“This club belongs in the Champions League, but this league is very strong, with many clubs competing for this position.
“It is the main objective of the season to get into the Champions League. The competition is tough, many teams with really good squads, good managers, so you are doing a good job (to qualify). For this moment it is the maximum but we want more (next season).”
The key to United’s comeback has been Casemiro’s move from Real Madrid.
The 31-year-old showed his class and experience against a young Chelsea team that lost because they weren’t good enough in both boxes.
“It was another reality day today when you look at the emphatic nature at the top end of the pitch of United compared to us,” said Lampard. “Results for Chelsea this season are not good enough.”
Mykhailo Mudryk should have scored his first goal for Chelsea when, after five minutes, he missed a great chance.
After just 60 seconds, the visitors were behind when Christian Eriksen’s free kick was headed in by Casemiro, who didn’t have to move his head.
United had a good night, but winger Antony got hurt and had to be taken off on a stretcher. He hurt his ankle, which makes him a big question mark for the FA Cup final in 10 days.
But the home team ended the game as a contest in the last few seconds of the first half. Jadon Sancho set up Anthony Martial after Casemiro’s no-look pass opened up the Chelsea defence.
In the second half, Ten Hag’s team should have had more goals to cap off a great night. Fernandes hit the bar, and Eriksen missed a cross from Tyrell Malacia when he was right there.
Fernandes did finally score from the penalty spot after Wesley Fofana brought down the Portuguese midfielder.
More calamitous Chelsea’s defence gave Rashford a chance to become the first United player to score 30 goals in a season in a decade.
Fernandes jumped on Fofana’s sloppy pass and set up the England international, who needed two shots to beat Kepa Arrizabalaga.
The fact that Chelsea paid Joao Felix £10 million to play for them on loan for a few months in January shows how much of a waste their season has been.
But the Portuguese international showed a bit of his talent with a strong run and a low finish for a late consolation goal that kept David de Gea from getting his 18th clean sheet of the season.
