A defiant Erik ten Hag has warned Manchester United what they’ll be missing if the club decides to sack him after winning the FA Cup.
Manchester United are basking in the glow of an unlikely FA Cup final triumph after they defeated rivals Manchester City 2-1 at Wembley.
It was no fluke, either, as, despite Pep Guardiola’s claim to the opposite, United were the better side and were fully deserving of their victory.
Alejandro Garnacho pounced on a defensive mishap to tap into an empty net for the opener before Kobbie Mainoo finished off a fine move to double the lead.
City got one back late on through Jeremy Doku’s strike but a spirited and disciplined United held on to win the cup for the 13th time.
However, Erik ten Hag’s future at Old Trafford remains a hot topic as it was reported ahead of the final he would be sacked regardless of the result.
Buoyed by his second trophy win in as many seasons, Ten Hag has come out fighting after the game and warned United he will win trophies for another club if they don’t want him any more.
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Erik ten Hag hits back at speculation he could be sacked after FA Cup win
Speaking in his post-match press conference, Ten Hag said on his potential sacking: “I don’t think about this.
“I am in a project and we are exactly where we want to be, we are constructing a team for the future.
“When I took over we were in a mess. The team is developing, the team is winning and the team plays to an identity but you need the players to be available and a strong squad especially when you play in England and Europe.
“There is a lot of work to do but we have value in the squad, high potential, the team is progressing and we are winning trophies.
“Two trophies in two years is not bad, three finals in two years is not bad.
“If they don’t want me, then I go somewhere else to win trophies because that is what I do.”
Erik ten Hag is giving himself the best chance of saving his job at Manchester United
Ten Hag has come out swinging after the trophy win and you can’t help but respect him for defending himself so forthrightly.
From his perspective, he has just won a second trophy in as many seasons when the club had gone six years without one before he arrived. United wanted silverware and he’s delivered it.
Ten Hag has also fulfilled his promise to develop and play promising youngsters, with the scorers at Wembley proving the fact.
He appears to still have the players and fans onside and this bold fight back against the speculation will only strengthen his position.
The manager could still lose his job and it would be a fair decision. The past season has been dreadful even taking the injury crisis into account.
Yet, Ten Hag has made the decision a difficult one for those in charge and given himself the best chance of saving his job.