Erik ten Hag said Manchester United are back where they belong after a 4-1 thrashing of Chelsea on Thursday secured a return to the Champions League next season.
Casemiro, Anthony Martial, Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford all hit their mark as the Red Devils moved up to third place in the Premier League.
A miserable night summed up Chelsea’s season despite spending more than £500 million ($620 million) on the transfer market as they fell to an eighth defeat in 10 games since Frank Lampard returned as caretaker manager.
By contrast, the confirmation of a top-four finish rounds off a successful first season in charge of Ten Hag after also ending United’s six-year trophy drought by winning the League Cup in February.
More trophies could come next month if United halt Manchester City’s charge to the treble in the FA Cup final.
But returning to Europe’s elite competition next season was one of Ten Hag’s main goals as he took the reins after a disastrous 2021/22 campaign when United finished sixth.
“I think (it’s) a successful season, but the season is not over,” Ten Hag said.
“This club belongs to 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 enter the Champions League. The competition is tough, many teams with very good squads, good coaches, so you are doing a good job (to qualify). Right now it’s the best. but we want more (next season).”
The arrival of Casemiro from Real Madrid has been essential for the revival of United.
The 31-year-old’s class and experience shone through against a young Chelsea who were punished for lack of efficiency in both areas.
“Today was another day of reality when you look at the emphatic nature at the top end of the United pitch compared to us,” Lampard said. “Chelsea’s results this season are not good enough.”
Mykhailo Mudryk should have scored his first Chelsea goal when the Ukrainian deflected a glorious chance on five minutes.
Just 60 seconds later, the visitors fell behind when Casemiro received a free header to deflect Christian Eriksen’s free-kick.
A positive night for United was marred by injury to winger Antony, who was forced to go on a stretcher with an ankle injury that will make him a major doubt for the FA Cup final in 10 days’ time.
But the home team ended the game as a contest in first-half stoppage time when a no-look pass from Casemiro opened up the Chelsea defense for Jadon Sancho to square off for Martial.
Ten Hag’s men should have had more goals to round off a good night in the second half when Fernandes crashed against the bar and Eriksen somehow missed to convert Tyrell Malacia’s cross from point-blank range.
Fernandes finally got his goal from the penalty spot after the Portuguese midfielder was brought down by Wesley Fofana.
Chelsea’s most calamitous defense invited Rashford to become the first United player in a decade to score 30 goals in a season.
Fernandes pounced on a loose pass from Fofana and strained the England international, who needed two tries to beat Kepa Arrizabalaga.
Chelsea’s waste of the season can be summed up by the £10m loan fee squandered on Joao Félix in January for a few months with little to play for.
But the Portugal international showed a glimpse of his quality with a fast-paced run and a low finish to a late consolation that denied David de Gea his 18th clean goal of the season.
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