Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag has taken the positives from his side's 1-0 win over Real Sociedad in the Europa League despite the result not being enough to top Group E.
The Red Devils needed to beat Real Sociedad by two clear goals in order to automatically qualify for the knockout round of the Europa League.
However, goal difference ultimately saw the La Liga side finish at the summit, with Man United needing to play a two-legged knockout playoff tie in February to determine whether they will be in the next round.
Despite the disappointment of failing to secure their goal, Ten Hag was encouraged by his team's performance, mentioning Alejandro Garnacho, who scored his first senior goal, and Donny van de Beek, with the midfielder back after a lengthy absence through injury.
"You do not always get what you deserve. I think tonight that is the fact. I think we played a good route in the group, we win five times, only one defeat and the defeat is by a penalty where you can have discussions," Ten Hag told MUTV.
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"Of course we wanted to win today with two goals' difference, to be number one. That was the aim, we didn't succeed but after the winter, we are still there to win the Europa League and that is always but we have to go from round to round. We have to focus on that next round and that is what we will do.
"We have to wait for the draw. We have two extra fixtures and it's a hard season but we have a squad, we have to deal with that and we will do.
"Let's look at the positives from tonight. We have an extra player with Garnacho. He did well and I hope he can keep going in this process. He was reliable, he worked hard, he was a threat and he scored a goal so I am happy. If he can keep this process going, I'm really happy.
"It was also a decent performance from Donny van de Beek because we need the options in the front line. We have, with Antony, Anthony Martial and Jadon Sancho, three good players who can have an impact that are not available. So then others have to do it and show that we have a squad."
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Man United will now switch their attention back to the Premier League, with the team preparing to continue their campaign away to Aston Villa on Sunday afternoon.
Ten Hag has said that his side did not appear to suffer any injury problems on Thursday, while the Dutchman will hope to have Sancho, Antony and Martial back in contention.
"As far as I now see, everyone is fine. We have to recover and the focus has to be on Sunday because it's another big game," said the club's head coach.
Man United will face Aston Villa again next Thursday in the EFL Cup before travelling to Fulham in the league on November 13 in what will be their final match ahead of the break for the World Cup.
Matt Law
