Manchester United’s season ends in heartbreak, losing 2-1 to Manchester City in the FA Cup Final.

Although it’s been a season of progression under Erik Ten Hag, the final showed that while United appear to be heading in the right direction, there’s still much room for improvement.

Things couldn’t have started worse for United, conceding within the first 20 seconds. The Reds switched off defensively and a bouncing ball fell to Ilkay Gundogan who finished with a sublime volley.

United looked to be shell-shocked, although they did draw level after Jack Grealish conceded a handball and Bruno Fernandes converted from the penalty spot. Despite not being at their best they were back in it.

However, the second half started exactly as the first did. United once again was caught sleeping defensively, offering Gundogan too much time and space from a City free kick. The German scored another volley which David De Gea should have saved. Two soft goals were conceded.

On the day United were simply not up for it. City were far from at their best, but they didn’t need to be ultimately. Whether it was not competing for second balls, offering City’s midfield too much space or not creating enough meaningful chances, United can’t come away feeling hard done by. They were beaten by the better team.

Let’s be honest City have been fantastic this season and it’s hard to argue that they don’t deserve to be on course for a treble. After Saturday’s result, they only need to beat Inter to replicate Manchester United’s feat in 1999.

They are a far cry from the team Pep Guardiola inherited in 2016 and perhaps United can look at this with hopeful eyes under Erik Ten Hag. Just think of what this team could look like if the Dutchman is given the same support Pep has been given.

It’s almost hard to believe how far United have come since their two defeats at the beginning of the season. The 4-0 loss at Brentford felt like rock bottom but since then United have made the right decisions, or at least tried to.

Whether that be to bench the captain, Harry Maguire or remove Cristiano Ronaldo from the squad completely, Ten Hag has made one thing clear, he is the boss. All without losing his integrity or throwing anyone under the bus.

The ownership of Manchester United is still unresolved but I sincerely hope whoever does end up owning the club recognises just how important Ten Hag is and backs him to high heaven.

But for now, it’s a tough one to take. City may have deserved it, but I can’t help but feel like United could have offered more. The injuries to Antony, Marcel Sabitzer and Anthony Martial didn’t help. All three could have at least offered another option, although maybe this relentless season took its toll on United.

The next important job for United is recruitment. Several players need to be moved on and a fresh batch of reinforcements must be brought in to improve squad depth. And hopefully, United don’t get caught in another Frenkie De Jong-esque transfer saga.

So alas, another season is officially over for Manchester United. It may not have been the picturesque ending we had envisioned but overall fans should be proud of what their team has achieved. And things are starting to look bright at Old Trafford.

The pain of the FA Cup defeat is one that will sting for weeks to come, but I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t excited for the future at Manchester United. In Erik Ten Hag we trust.

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