Man Utd must set the record straight over Erik ten Hag sack speculation after FA Cup final win over Man City

Man Utd must set the record straight over Erik ten Hag sack speculation after FA Cup final win over Man City

WATCH NOW: Sports round-up as Man Utd beat Man City to win FA Cup

Jack Otway

By Jack Otway


Published: 25/05/2024

- 17:06

The Dutchman guided his side to FA Cup glory on Saturday with a 2-1 win

Manchester United have done the unthinkable by beating Manchester City to win the FA Cup at Wembley on Saturday.

And it's now time for INEOS to clarify the speculation that currently surrounds Erik ten Hag and his job at Old Trafford.


United, before they'd even kicked a ball, were being written off. After a chastening campaign that saw them finish eighth in the Premier League table, that's no surprise.

But the Red Devils produced one of their best performances of the past 12 months to beat City and win the FA Cup for the first time since 2016.

Man Utd Erik ten Hag

Man Utd boss Erik ten Hag was jubilant after his side's FA Cup final win over Man City

GETTY

That year, Louis van Gaal guided the fallen giants to victory in the same competition.

Goals from Juan Mata and Jesse Lingard gave United a 2-1 win over Crystal Palace at Wembley, ending a 12-year wait for the trophy in the process.

Hours later, however, it became apparent that Van Gaal would be leaving Old Trafford.

It was brutal, harsh, disgraceful that the news was allowed to break when Van Gaal was basking in the glory of one of the biggest achievements of his managerial career.

Fast-forward to now, however, and it's possible history will repeat itself.

Ten Hag has got many things wrong at United this season, hence why they were considered such dark horses.

But two trophies in two years is a remarkable record. So too is three finals.

Ten Hag inherited a United team stuck in a rut two years ago. They finished sixth in the Premier League in the 2021/2022 season having toiled under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Ralf Rangnick.

But he has now guided an average United side to two trophies, all while operating in the toughest dugout of them all.

On Friday, the internet was awash with rumours that INEOS had already made up their mind.

United, according to widespread reports, have started talks with a variety of candidates about taking over.

That includes Kieran McKenna, who was under Solskjaer's assistant at Old Trafford.

Mauricio Pochettino, who missed out on the United job two years ago to Ten Hag, is on there too.

Thomas Tuchel is another candidate admired, having won silverware at Bayern Munich, Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain and Borussia Dortmund over the years.

And Brentford boss Thomas Frank is also believed to be under consideration.

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Man Utd Alejandro Garnacho Man City

Man Utd star Alejandro Garnacho celebrates his goal against Man City in the FA Cup final

PA

But United must now address the speculation under Ten Hag.

On Saturday, against City, the gladiators rose as one for the Dutchman.

Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane were sensational at the back. How things this season could have been different if they'd been fit for the past nine months...

Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho both scored and were the heart of everything good about the Red Devils.

And Bruno Fernandes produced a captain's display as he skippered his side to victory in the wonderful Wembley sunshine.

United, obviously, have fallen well short of expectations this season.

Man Utd Man City

Man Utd must clarify Erik ten Hag's future in the wake of their FA Cup final win over Man City

PA

Better days, surely, must lie ahead.

But Ten Hag will feel he's done his part at United. Two trophies in 12 months is better than two trophies in four years, as was the case before his arrival.

United won't benefit from taking their time. It's now the moment to sack, or back, the manager.

If this is to be it, however, then Ten Hag will be proud of everything he's achieved during his time in England.

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