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David de Gea bemoaned an abject Manchester United season as he insisted his Red Devils’ team-mates who are not committed “do not have to stay”.
Ralf Rangnick has failed to transform United’s fortunes following Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s departure in November, ending his tenure with the lowest win rate of any manager in the club’s Premier League history (41.7 per cent – 10 wins from 24 games).
Erik ten Hag watched on as United fell to a 1-0 defeat at Crystal Palace, albeit they will be playing in the Europa League next season after West Ham failed to leapfrog them on the final day.
The incoming Ten Hag will have a sizeable rebuilding task at hand after United failed to end a league campaign with a positive goal difference (zero in 2021-22) for the first time since the 1989-90 campaign (minus-one).
United also concluded their campaign with a record-low Premier League points haul (58), and De Gea vented his frustrations after the game at Selhurst Park.
“I want to forget this season and be 100 per cent ready for the next season and be positive. The best thing that happened today is the season has finished,” De Gea told BBC Sport.
“It has been horrible, a very bad season in all ways, it has been very tough. It is time to rest and prepare your minds for next season.
“Ones who want to stay, stay at the club. Ones that don’t want to stay, go out. You don’t have to stay here.
“The new manager and staff are already looking for new players. Hopefully, they bring good ones with good character.”
Unwanted Premier League-era records continued to tumble for United, who have lost six consecutive away league matches for the first time since March 1981, and De Gea is excited for new beginnings under Ten Hag next term.
“I cannot wait. I am excited for the next season, new manager, new players,” he added.
“Hopefully we will improve and put Manchester United in a better position. We need to trust in the future.”
