Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag has said that he has "told the club what we have to do" during this summer's transfer window to be competitive next season.
The Red Devils saw a positive 2022-23 campaign end on a disappointing note on Saturday, as they suffered a 2-1 defeat to Manchester City in the FA Cup final.
Ilkay Gundogan's brace proved to be enough for Pep Guardiola's side to triumph, with the midfielder's second of the match early in the second period sending the Citizens back into the lead after Bruno Fernandes had levelled the scores from the penalty spot.
Man United have ended the campaign with an EFL Cup trophy and third-place finish in the Premier League table, and they are expected to be active during the summer transfer window.
The Red Devils are believed to be looking to sign a centre-back, central midfielder and centre-forward, and Ten Hag has sent a transfer message to the club following the FA Cup final.
"It's about finalising the season. We have to be quiet, analyse the season, go into depth and then set the right conclusions and take action," Ten Hag told reporters on Saturday.
"Of course, during the season we continually are making considerations and some actions are in process. Now the season is finished and the conclusion is that we played a brilliant season.
"'It is not about the gap in the summer, or getting players in; we have been working all season and we have been working day-by-day to develop and progress the team.
"I am very proud of where we have came from at the start of the season, from [heavy defeats at] Brentford and at the Etihad. During the season, we had some bad defeats, City and Liverpool away. We showed today that the win against City at home was not a coincidence.
"I have only one plan. That is to improve this club and improve this team. I will fight for it, I have my ideas and I have told the club what we have to do for that but I have to work with my staff and my players to be better for next season.
"We are in the right direction but there are issues in the game that we have to improve if we want to make the next step, to win trophies.
"If you consider that before today, we and City had 42 wins, the difference was made today. You can tell we played a fantastic season. We have qualified for the Champions League, won a trophy and got to another final so I am very happy with the performance from my team."
Tottenham Hotspur's Harry Kane is still believed to be Man United's leading target in the final third of the field despite recent suggestions that the club are considering dropping their interest.
Chelsea's Mason Mount could become the club's first signing of the summer, though, with the Red Devils believed to be confident of bringing the England international to Old Trafford. body check tags ::
