Sir Jim Ratcliffe commended Manchester United for their surprising victory over Manchester City in the FA Cup final on Saturday but refrained from commenting on Erik ten Hag’s future as manager when questioned by a journalist.
Teenagers Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo were instrumental in Manchester United’s 2-1 triumph at Wembley Stadium, a victory that came amid intense speculation about Ten Hag’s job security. Prior to the match, reports suggested that United’s management had decided to dismiss Ten Hag regardless of the outcome, a decision that seemed unaffected by the victory.
In his post-match comments, Ratcliffe expressed his delight: “It is a glorious feeling to win the FA Cup final at Wembley. Manchester United were clearly not the favourites to win today but they played with total commitment and skill and overcame one of the great teams in football. We are all very proud of the players and the staff who work tirelessly to support them.”
Despite these positive remarks, Ratcliffe chose not to address the question about Ten Hag’s future, instead opting to walk away without a response.
Ratcliffe, along with key Manchester United officials Sir Dave Brailsford, Jean Claude-Blanc, and Jason Wilcox, is set to conduct a comprehensive post-season review of the club’s performance.
This review will likely involve assessing potential managerial replacements, as United has already shown interest in Kieran McKenna, Mauricio Pochettino, Thomas Tuchel, and Thomas Frank.
Throughout his second season at Old Trafford, Ten Hag faced significant criticism, particularly as his team struggled with injuries and ultimately finished eighth in the Premier League.
Despite these challenges, he led the team to an FA Cup victory, which not only secured them a spot in the Europa League next season but also affected the European qualifications for other clubs, pushing Chelsea into the Conference League and leaving Newcastle United without European competition for the 2024/25 season.
In the wake of the FA Cup win, Ten Hag maintained a confident demeanor, even joking about Manchester United legend Roy Keane. The Dutch manager’s tenure has been marred by difficulties, yet he managed to deliver a significant trophy, providing some respite from the season’s disappointments.
The uncertainty surrounding Ten Hag’s future adds to the intrigue as United looks to rebuild and strengthen their squad for the next season.
Ratcliffe and the United hierarchy face critical decisions as they navigate the club through these transitional times, aiming to return to their former glory. The upcoming review will be pivotal in determining the direction of Manchester United and whether Ten Hag will be part of that future.
