There were positives for Ten Hag and there was mitigation, reasons for a desperate Premier League campaign that can be rectified next season.
Those focused primarily on injury issues, but also a sense that the business done in the 2023 summer transfer window was with an eye on long-term results.
There was an acceptance that Andre Onana and Rasmus Hojlund took time to settle and that Mason Mount's season was wrecked through injury.
Ineos expect that there is more to come from the £163m trio and that the full benefit of that investment is yet to be felt. Onana certainly improved as the campaign went on and Hojlund had a couple of spells where it looked like he was ready to lead the line.
The greatest disappointment will be reserved for Mount, who started the season slowly after his £55m move from Chelsea, lost his place in the team and then struggled with his fitness.
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