"Manchester United in the Champions League is a non-negotiable."
Those were Erik ten Hag's words after his Manchester United side beat Chelsea on Thursday night to secure the return of Champions League football to Old Trafford. You got the sense he didn't view it as a cause for celebration, but more so an objective being ticked off en-route to bigger things.
However, it nonetheless confirmed his first season at United as a success. The pre-season targets earmarked by many was for Ten Hag to bring home a trophy and secure a top four position in the Premier League.
He arrived at the helm with the club in a spot of disarray, so the desire of fans could have been rendered ambitious. There surely wouldn't have been outrage before the season if these objectives were not achieved. But, having being unfancied by many amid the strength of others heading into the campaign, United have exceeded expectations to a degree.
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There is no getting away from the fact that last season was catastrophic for the most part, especially the manner in which it spiralled downhill towards the climax, with two wins in the final 10 games in all competitions, and three in the last 14 matches. The eventual margin from the Champions League spots was 13 points.
In that context, it is quite the contrast that United have spent most of this term inside the top four, and that with one game remaining, they have confirmed qualification for Europe's pinnacle competition next season.
Ten Hag has to have helped this quest by constantly maintaining that his side would finish inside the Champions League places. And while there has been inconsistency at times this season, they have always done enough and have never really, despite some doubts, looked like losing their status in the top four.
Imperfections do remain, and Ten Hag has been wise enough to acknowledge this fact and suggest reinforcements are still required. It is obvious that there remain some misfits in the squad in terms of profiles that align with the style Ten Hag is still trying to wholly instill.
This only gives more leverage to offering credit to Ten Hag, who has managed to get a tune out of a side that isn't yet completely in his image. He has raised the standards and reinstated a winning culture and that has shown across all competitions to varying degrees.
With one game remaining this season, they are 14 points and six wins better off than they were in the league by the conclusion of last term. Carabao Cup victory and an impending FA Cup final further exemplify the improvements made.
It is difficult to outline breaking a near six-year trophy duck or making the Champions League as the most significant achievement, but the latter could certainly prove most improvement in terms of allowing the 'process' that Ten Hag has often alluded to to move forward to its greatest degree.
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There are clear financial perks to qualifying for the Champions League, but equally as important in terms of allowing upgrades to the squad is merely how attractive a prospect playing in Europe's 'big time' is to potential signings.
Being able to recruit with more freedom - not limited by players' desire to solely be at a Champions League club - is really important in allowing Ten Hag's project to move forward. Players available within the top bracket are always at a premium, so United should have more of an edge when chasing their primary options.
For all the talk of being a desirable prospect to necessary additions to the squad, the players that have put in the effort throughout a gruelling schedule this season deserve masses of plaudits for their part in enabling qualification. They have also earned the right to play in the Champions League.
Their performance against Chelsea was hugely encouraging at times, as much as it was a slow burner at stages in the first half, when quality did lack somewhat and the game was quite open. Both sides had chances but were each wasteful - somewhat of a summation of United's issues at times this season. Still, United headed into half-time with a 2-0 lead.
Casemiro showed the defensive security that has been so valuable this campaign, however a second headed goal in two appearances against Chelsea - this time a towering header from a deep Christian Eriksen free-kick - showed what he can offer from set-pieces. It was his seventh goal of the season, tying his best single season tally from during his time at Real Madrid.
The second goal exemplified the football United need to play on a more regular basis - coming at an important time just before the break. Casemiro showed quality to send Jadon Sancho, who made a well-timed run, into space with a nio-look pass. Decision-making was perfect from all involved, including Sancho, who timed his pass well to set up Anthony Martial for a tap-in.
By the climax, it was clear that Chelsea were a team in disarray. Bruno Fernandes won and converted a penalty after some clumsy defending from Wesley Fofana, who then gifted the Portuguese the ball to set Marcus Rashford up for a straightforward finish shortly after.
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It was a rout in the end against Chelsea, with an emphatic, rather rampant climax sealing United a top four spot. And they probably will come away from it feeling it should have been even more of an annihilation given the chances they created - evidence of scope for even better results come next term if the attack can grow more clinical.
Ten Hag and his squad have faced adversity this season, including some rueful losses, especially away from home, that have to be cut out come next term. However, it is their ability to bounce back from these moments that should, in part, also define this season.
After all, Ten Hag has become the first manager since Sir Alex Ferguson to guide United to a trophy and qualify for the Champions League through their league position.
Manchester United are right back towards where they belong. They shouldn't be anywhere other than in the Champions League.
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