Erik ten Hag admits last season was a 'tough' one for Man United

Erik ten Hag has opened up on the difficulties of the 2023-24 season as he addressed Man United's players ahead of the new campaign.

Although Ten Hag led United to an FA Cup triumph in May, in truth the Red Devils endured a dismal and chaotic season.

United crashed out of the Champions League in the group stage, while they finished in their lowest position of the Premier League era in eighth, with a goal difference of minus one.

This meant that despite winning the FA Cup, there was uncertainty at the start of the summer at Old Trafford, with significant speculation over the future of Ten Hag as manager.

However United's new part-owners Ineos, who are in charge of football operations at the club, ultimately decided to stick with the Dutchman after an end-of-season review - before extending his contract by a year - but they will want to see improvements.

And, ahead of the new season, Ten Hag addressed his players in a speech at the club's Carrington training ground as he reflected on the 'tough' campaign, although he also made sure to highlight their FA Cup triumph.

'I'm sure it (winning the FA Cup) was one of the best moments in your life,' Ten Hag said in his speech, which was leaked on social media.

'To be there at Wembley, to win a cup, that is a great feeling and we want to do it again, but we have to invest as individuals and as a team to go again. 

'At the end of the day, it's you guys who did this.

'With the squad that was available, for more than one game, we achieved something big and finally, from a tough season - because it was a tough season - we made a successful season.'

United stars Lisandro Martinez and Alejandro Garnacho enjoyed more success over the summer, with the pair part of the Argentina side who retained their Copa America title.

And Ten Hag also made sure to highlight their achievements and insisted the rest of the squad should be inspired.

'We need the players who have this winning attitude coming in every day and wanting to compete and improve, so I want to bring Licha and Aleja forward,' he added, as he presented the duo with some specially designed awards, before congratulating them again.

'At United, we need players with a winning mentality, players who know how to win, but also appreciate a big moment, (which is) what they achieved with their nation at the Copa America.'

Martinez and Garnacho are set to have key roles to again for United this season, with Ten Hag's side returning to action on Saturday when they take on arch-rivals Man City in the Community Shield at Wembley.