LONDON Manchester United's painful FA Cup final loss to Manchester City casts a cloud over a largely impressive season under Erik ten Hag, in which they ended their trophy drought and regained their place in the Champions League.
City captain Ilkay Gundogan scored twice in a 2-1 win for the Premier League champions at Wembley on Saturday - including the fastest goal in FA Cup final history - as his side stayed on track for a treble.
Ten Hag, in his first campaign at Old Trafford, praised his men for their performance against "probably the best team in the world" before reflecting on the overall campaign.
"We played a fantastic season and it's more than we could have expected before," said the Dutchman, who admitted that his players were "broken and disappointed" by the defeat.
"We were third in the league, we are qualified for the Champions League, we won a trophy and we were in another final.
"So, yeah, I'm really happy with the performance from my team all over."
But in the cold light of day, he will be aware that although the scoreline was close at Wembley, Pep Guardiola's men were in control for most of the match against his largely toothless side.
This story is from the June 05, 2023 edition of The Straits Times.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the June 05, 2023 edition of The Straits Times.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Challengers role scared Zendaya so much, she had to do the film
The actress says she was drawn to how multi-layered the characters in the sports romance are
WORLD CHAMPIONS HEADLINE NOMINEES
Singapore Sports Awards finalists reflect momentous’ 2023 for national athletes
FROM SLOW BURNER TO SHOW-STOPPER
Arteta praises tremendous’ Havertz as he punishes former club Chelsea with a brace
FENCERS ON MISSION TO QUALIFY FOR OLYMPICS
Well-prepared contingent have last chance to achieve Paris 2024 goal at UAE tournament
FI's Horner, Vasseur fine with new points plan
Formula One teams will discuss on April 25 a proposal to extend the points-scoring positions from 10th place to 12th place next season.
Doncic defeaning as Mavs even series with Clippers
Luka Doncic wanted to \"make some noise\" to let the Los Angeles Clippers know who the Dallas Mavericks really are, and he did just that on April 23.
ARTILLERY TAKES AIM AT CLASSIC
3YO Sprint second convinces Logan to press on to 1,400m leg
Support parents' right to determine digital usage for their children
The Ministry of Education's response to Mr Joel Chan Yi-Hsiung and Mr Andrew Soo is a reiteration of its long-held position and has not adequately addressed the call to give parents greater autonomy and optionality in managing their children's use of personal learning devices (Schools, parents can guide usage of digital devices by students with app, April 16).
How the secret of sleep keeps us awake
Businesses can keep exploiting our tiredness while scientists seek to explain the mechanics of it.
New flexi-work guidelines prompt firms to rethink workplace policies
Many see potential for higher productivity, though smaller firms appear less convinced
