Erik ten Hag's first season at Manchester United has unequivocally been a success.
Will it be a success if such a season is repeated in years to come? They answer should be a resounding 'no'. But in terms of the process Ten Hag has often spoken about across the last 12 months or so, success in his first season was always going to be just taking a step in the right direction.
And they have done more than just taking a step in the right direction.
Not only has the ship been steadied, but the trajectory at United is upwards and the direction is positive - in stark contrast to the utter disarray they found themselves in this time one year ago, before Ten Hag took charge.
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They may have lost out in the FA Cup final to Manchester City, but the fact that United are ending their season with a final marks noteworthy progress.
Of course, there will never be a defeat in a cup final that doesn't sting - especially against a rival to the extent of City, particularly when they were in the midst of successfully chasing the feat of becoming only the second team to win the treble in England after United's successes in 1999.
However, focusing solely on the present and not the preservation of history, the pain was alleviated somewhat by the fact United already had a trophy in the bank. They are out of their rut of no silverware, which lasted almost six years before winning the Carabao Cup in February with a 2-0 win over Newcastle United.
Ten Hag has brought a winning feeling back and given his players a taste of success, which they will undoubtedly continue to chase. The culture of the club is being rebuilt into a winning one. Standards are noticeably being raised.
Beyond winning a trophy, qualifying for the Champions League was another necessary stride in Ten Hag's rebuild of the club. Only last season, they fell a whole 13 points shy of fourth-place, yet one year on they have secured third-place, with an eight-point buffer to Liverpool in fifth.
Their home form has skyrocketed, with wins over each of the traditional 'big six' sides a marker of United's improvement, which is also displayed by the fact they were second only to City in terms of Premier League home form, with a 13-point improvement on last season. In all competitions, 27 wins at home is a club record, with no further defeats following two losses in the opening four home games of the season.
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Still, improvements are needed as standards continue to rise, with 'good not being good enough' clearly an attitude adopted by Ten Hag. The FA Cup provided a microcosm of the gulf that still remains between United and the best, especially given City by no means put in their most splendid performance.
It never really felt like United had any complete grip on proceedings, instead performing in a tentative manner for large parts, failing to keep the ball and assert the same authority as their opponents, and lacking general quality compared to Pep Guardiola's side.
United's cause wasn't aided by a concession on the 12-second mark, foreboding an inability to really settle in the game. Incidentally, it all stemmed from a long ball by Stefan Ortega to Erling Haaland, with United failing to win any second ball convincingly enough before Ilkay Gundogan volleyed past a rooted David de Gea.
City were efficient in possession, shown even by Ortega's seeming punt forward to Haaland. In stark contrast, De Gea often opting to play the ball long was more of a measure of shortcomings rather than any sort of measure; there was a cycle of the ball being played long and United finding themselves unable to sustain possession.
De Gea was culpable for City's second goal, when Gundogan was lamentably left unmarked on the edge of the penalty area from a wide free-kick. The first-time effort from the German wasn't struck particularly cleanly, yet United's No.1 was unable to deny the attempt despite getting a hand to the ball.
It felt an encapsulation of the masses unfulfilled potential Ten Hag's side still have, and the fact that, in the grand scheme of things, he has done a sensational job with stylistic misfits remaining and upgrades still being necessary.
Shortcomings do remain - inevitable given calls from many, including interim manager Ralf Rangnick, for a significant overhaul of the squad only a year ago. To have guided a largely similar side, with nowhere near the amount of additions he desires yet, to the heights he has this season is a good reflection on Ten Hag.
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There have still been errant results and performances under Ten Hag, especially relating to form away from home, but there was always going to be a ceiling to the Dutchman's first season in charge at United.
There was only ever going to be so much he could do in a single campaign. And, considering the team isn't yet entirely in his image, he has worked some wonders.
The fact that what formerly seemed merely a group of players have become a tight-knit team reflects that, shown in stark fashion in the FA Cup final. Ten Hag's side showed a creditable attitude to equalise after being pegged back so early, with their pressure amounting to an admittedly unfortunate penalty from City's behalf. It was converted with composure by Bruno Fernandes.
There was a steely persistence that hardly existed the year prior, and that sort of drive has been shown throughout the season, including in the form of resilience to bounce back from the self-inflicted hardships that have to be eradicated. As much as it should be expected, fighting until the death deserves praise against a City side that can be demoralising to play against.
United did fall short in that final, however, and reducing that disparity requires Ten Hag to be backed this summer transfer window.
Certain profiles need to be addressed and areas upgraded - that has always been a certainty. For instance, a lack of potency in front of goal across the season means a striker is a priority target, with United lacking presence and many dimensions in forward areas with Marcus Rashford often having to do all of the attacking work.
A central midfielder with energy and invention but also able to aid control of games is also necessary, hence early interest in Mason Mount. A goalkeeper should also be on the shortlist given De Gea's improvements haven't been enough across the season. The departure of either Harry Maguire or Victor Lindelof should also necessitate a new centre-back.
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United still have a long way to go to replicate the ideal model of having two capable players in each position, as has been so effective for Guardiola at City.
In the FA Cup final, Alejandro Garnacho starred for United after coming on in the second half. But United have lacked such bite off the bench, aside from Garnacho in particular, especially once there are even a few injuries. In the longer term, and Ten Hag will hope not too far in the future, once the starting side is sorted, bulking the squad up with quality depth has to be a priority.
United are walking a tightrope between being in deep water with Financial Fair Play, hence books have to be balanced by sales and the budget may be tighter this summer. That said, early signs are that the club are working to do their utmost to support Ten Hag, laying groundwork and bookmarking primary and alternative options early in the transfer window.
Working quickly this summer is imperative to set Ten Hag up to the best degree ahead of his second season in charge at United, ideally in time for pre-season. His first season has been a success in terms of the project, and it is down to the club to support the next step up.
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