Prior to today's FA Cup final, Erik ten Hag seemed to be a dead man walking.
It was widely reported on Friday that the Manchester United boss would lose his job at Old Trafford, regardless of whether or not the club could win a second trophy under his guidance.
But football doesn't always read the script.
And United produced arguably their best performance under Ten Hag to win the FA Cup on Saturday, stunning their noisy neighbours in the process.
Man Utd have beaten Man City to win the 2024 FA Cup final
PA
City dominated the ball in the early stages but couldn't unlock a United defence boosted by having Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane at the heart of it.
The Red Devils took the lead in the 30th minute, with Alejandro Garnacho on target.
The Argentina international capitalised after a mix-up from Stefan Ortega and Josko Gvardiol, tapping into an empty net.
City were let off the hook minutes later, with Marcus Rashford seeing a goal disallowed.
However, United then proceeded to double their advantage with Kobbie Mainoo converting after a sublime pass from Bruno Fernandes.
While Jeremy Doku bagged a consolation for City towards the end, it wasn't enough.
And GB News now takes a look at four observations from the cup final, with the Red Devils avenging their defeat from 12 months ago to end a turbulent campaign on a positive note.
Five gladiators rise for Ten Hag
Ten Hag could yet lose his job at United. INEOS are unlikely to be swayed by just one football match.
But five players, in particular, stood tall for the Dutchman at Wembley.
Mainoo and Garnacho were both exceptional, with the 19-year-olds scoring on the biggest day of their lives. With them, the future is bright.
Martinez and Varane were heroic at centre-back, with the pair able to nullify the threat of Erling Haaland. It was no coincidence to see United concede once their partnership had been broken up with the introduction of Jonny Evans.
And Fernandes set the tone with his pressing up top, with the Portugal international sparkling as he skippered his side to the trophy.
A penny for Ten Hag's thoughts
Man Utd star Alejandro Garnacho celebrates his goal against Man CIty in Saturday's FA Cup final at Wembley
PA
Ten Hag gave a defiant interview prior to today's clash, blasting back at criticism of his United tenure.
He can't deny that, when it comes to the Premier League, the Red Devils have plenty of improving to do.
But two trophies in two years, from three finals, is a good stat on the 54-year-old's record.
Winning silverware is, after all, what football is all about. He has more trophies than Mikel Arteta in England, a manager who has been praised to the heavens for his work at Arsenal in recent years.
United have reportedly sounded out the representatives of Kieran McKenna, Mauricio Pochettino, Thomas Tuchel and Thomas Frank.
Yet keeping Ten Hag could, ultimately, be the way to go.
City pay price for over-celebrating?
City were well entitled to celebrate their latest Premier League triumph earlier in the week.
Doing so just days before a cup final is, however, a risky move.
And perhaps it's no surprise that City didn't really turn up, with Guardiola's side far more lethargic and vulnerable than normal.
They haven't got too much wrong ever since the Spaniard arrived at the club back in 2016.
But partying just days before you play your fiercest rivals with the FA Cup trophy on the line is a bad look.
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United fans needed that
Man Utd star Kobbie Mainoo was on target during his side's FA Cup final win over Man City
PA
Nothing has gone right at United this season.
From being bad in the Premier League to abysmal in both the Champions League and Carabao Cup, it seemed as though today would end in yet another disaster.
But it didn't and how United fans have needed that after a campaign that has lurched from one crisis to another.
The onus on the club is to now build on this. The foundations are there, Garnacho and Mainoo are proof of that.
City are lightyears ahead but all good things, ultimately, must come to an end. Whether the ride side of Manchester can make that happen, however, remains to be seen.
