Manchester, England -While it has been a season to forget for Manchester United, manager Erik ten Hag said he has maintained a positive outlook because he sees the potential of his players and understands the reasons behind their struggles.

Manchester United's potential was on display during an entertaining 3-2 Premier League win over Newcastle United on Wednesday, as three of the team's youngest players - Kobbie Mainoo (19), Amad Diallo (21) and Rasmus Hojlund (21) - scored.

"I see the positives, I see that this team is developing, I know the reasons why we are not performing," Ten Hag said. "No team will perform when the whole back four is not available (due to injury), across the season.

"Even striker Rasmus Hojlund, three times injured, (Marcus) Rashford, also injured, so we have had our problems across the season, and that has a negative impact on the results.

"(But) you see players performing and you see players progressing like the youngsters, and that is very positive, there is a high potential in this club. So, there are also many positives in this season, but I can't mention this. You know why - at the end of the day, we have to win trophies. And in the Premier League, and in the Champions League, we didn't perform what people expect from us."

Ten Hag's men remained eighth in the table after Wednesday's win, but tied with seventh-placed Newcastle with 57 points in the fight for a European berth next season.

The victory at Old Trafford in the club's home finale felt like a reward for fans who have endured one of the worst home campaigns in the club's history, and Ten Hag addressed the supporters, who he called the "best in the world," after the final whistle.

"We wanted to thank them for sticking with us, we are in difficult times," he told Sky Sports. "We are in a transition at this club and the results are not what we expect. We also have our reasons, but it's still a disappointing season.

"I am very pleased (with Wednesday's win). In the past months, we had many games where we were in winning positions but we couldn't get over the line."

If Ten Hag's men win the FA Cup final against defending champion Manchester City on May 25, they will play in the Europa League next season. It City wins, United will need to finish seventh in the league to secure a place in Europe.

Manchester United, which has never finished lower than seventh in the Premier League, plays at Brighton on Sunday, and needs to have a better result than Newcastle, which will be at Brentford on the same day, to move up to seventh place.