Erik ten Hag made a strong case to keep his position as Manchester United triumphed over Manchester City with a surprising 2-1 victory in the FA Cup final on Saturday.
Despite reports that Ten Hag was set to be dismissed regardless of the Wembley outcome, the United manager’s tactical brilliance may have led the club’s hierarchy to reconsider.
City, the favorites to secure a second consecutive Premier League and FA Cup double, were thwarted by Ten Hag’s strategy.
First-half goals from Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo put United on track for their first FA Cup win in eight years, derailing City’s bid for history.
Jeremy Doku managed to slip an 87th-minute strike past Andre Onana’s weak attempt at a save, but it was too late to save City.
Ending a turbulent season on a high note, if Ten Hag’s two-year tenure concludes, it would evoke memories of fellow Dutchman Louis van Gaal’s departure from Old Trafford.
Van Gaal was dismissed just two days after United’s FA Cup final victory against Crystal Palace in 2016.
Ten Hag hopes his fate aligns more closely with Alex Ferguson’s, whose 1990 FA Cup final win against Palace ignited a legendary run after calls for his sacking earlier that season.
Ferguson was present to witness a match labeled as Ten Hag’s potential swan song transform into a triumph for the beleaguered Dutchman.
United shareholder Jim Ratcliffe, who oversees football operations at Old Trafford, was in attendance alongside co-owners Joel and Avie Glazer.
With speculation linking United to Thomas Tuchel, Mauricio Pochettino, and Gareth Southgate, Ratcliffe has much to consider. United finished eighth in the Premier League this season—their lowest position since 1990—and exited the Champions League in the group stage.
Ten Hag attributes the struggles to a lengthy injury list and highlights the two trophies he has secured in three cup final appearances as evidence of his capabilities when the team is at full strength.
He ended United’s six-year trophy drought by winning the League Cup last year and has now avenged their 2-1 loss to City in the FA Cup final 12 months ago, despite finishing 31 points behind the champions this season.
– Stay of execution –
United will also secure a spot in the Europa League, avoiding a season without European competition for the first time since 2014-15.
They took advantage of an unusually lackluster performance from City, whose bid for a double fell apart in their first domestic defeat since losing to Aston Villa 171 days ago.
Last weekend, City became the first team to win the Premier League in four consecutive seasons. However, Guardiola’s team seemed sluggish after celebrating their sixth title in seven years.
City were incensed when a strong penalty appeal was dismissed in the first minute after Lisandro Martinez’s shove sent Erling Haaland to the ground.
United, content to sit deep with all 11 players behind the ball, stifled City effectively and capitalized on a defensive error in the 30th minute.
Diogo Dalot’s long ball should have been cleared by Josko Gvardiol, but the left-back hesitated while anticipating an offside flag.
Gvardiol headed the ball over City keeper Stefan Ortega, who had recklessly rushed off his line, leaving Garnacho with an easy tap-in to the empty net, prompting Ten Hag to celebrate with a clenched fist.
Nineteen-year-old Garnacho became the first teenager to score in an FA Cup final since Cristiano Ronaldo did for United against Millwall 20 years ago.
Just nine minutes later, another 19-year-old, Mainoo, capitalized on more sloppy City defending. Garnacho advanced unchallenged down the right wing and found Fernandes, whose superb first-time pass reached the unmarked Mainoo for a clinical close-range finish.
City increased their efforts after the break, and although Doku’s shot slipped through Onana’s grasp to set up a tense finale, it wasn’t enough to prevent United’s victory.
As the final seconds ticked away, Ten Hag stood in the sunshine, nervously waiting to celebrate a dramatic win that could either secure an unexpected reprieve or mark his final act with the club.
Your 2023/24 FA Cup winners…
🏆 MANCHESTER UNITED! 🏆#MUFC || #FACupFinal pic.twitter.com/UURrGlxqiz
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) May 25, 2024