Scott McTominay moved to comment on Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag immediately after the FA Cup triumph.
Manchester United have defied the odds to defeat neighbours Manchester City in the FA Cup final and end the season on an incredible high.
Erik ten Hag’s side emerged from Wembley as 2-1 winners thanks to first-half goals from teenage duo Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo.
Jeremy Doku pulled one back late on for City but a spirited United held on for their 13th triumph in the competition.
It was a superb display from United, the best of the season and perhaps of Ten Hag’s entire reign, as they completely knocked the Premier League champions off their stride.
It gives Sir Jim Ratcliffe and United’s decision-makers a tough call to make on the future of their manager, with reports ahead of the final suggesting Ten Hag would be sacked even if he won the cup.
Scott McTominay was moved to comment on his manager in the immediate aftermath of the game.
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Scott McTominay sends message to Erik ten Hag
McTominay was interviewed on the pitch immediately after the final whistle and, according to BBC journalist Simon Stone, he ended the chat with a message to Ten Hag.
Stone reported on the BBC: “Right at the end he [McTominay] said: ‘We are delighted for the manager.'”
Will Erik ten Hag be sacked by Manchester United?
While not an explicit backing of Ten Hag from McTominay, it seems clear the squad have not turned on him as has happened under previous regimes.
This isn’t the toxic atmosphere that the club descended into under Jose Mourinho. Instead, a lot of the players appear to be in favour of the Dutchman, as does the fan base.
Lisandro Martinez made a bee-line for him at the final whistle and carried him onto the pitch.
When asked by the BBC about Ten Hag, Bruno Fernandes said: “We know the manager is under so much scrutiny, he deserves this, also everyone in the backroom staff and the players, we all deserve this.”
This leads to the question of will Ten Hag be sacked and it’s a hard one to answer.
It was a dreadful campaign until the win and though United have been plagued by injuries, so have most clubs and Ten Hag could have dealt with them much better.
But he proved against City he does have the tactical flexibility to beat the best teams and he is developing serious talent.
There’s potential there but the lack of progress over the last year might be too damning.
A massive decision will soon have to be made either way.