Man Utd won't sack Erik ten Hag before FA Cup final despite players losing faith
Ten Hag’s long-term future looks bleak but he will stay until end of the season (Picture: Getty)
Manchester United will not sack Erik ten Hag before the FA Cup final against Manchester City despite a number of players believing the Dutchman’s fate has already been sealed.
United’s abysmal 4-0 defeat at Crystal Palace on Monday night has piled even more pressure on the manager as the club continue to break records in mediocrity.
Their 13th defeat of the season is a new record with the club fighting to avoid their lowest points haul of the Premier League era – currently four points off the 58 they managed in the 2021-22 season.
United could still salvage their season when they take on City on 25 May at Wembley in a repeat of last year’s final were Pep Guardiola’s side sealed a 2-1 win.
But with United’s form slipping at an alarming rate, there have been calls for the manager to be replaced before that date with former players Paul Scholes and Michael Owen among those to suggest his assistant coach Steve McClaren should be considered.
Ten Hag has not been offered firm guarantees over his long-term future at Old Trafford since the arrival of Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his team, headed by Sir Dave Brailsford.
But for now, his position is safe with United not planning to replace him before this month’s cup final, the Telegraph report.
United are on course for a record-breaking poor season (Picture: Getty)
A decision will instead be taken at the end of the season despite a number of players within the squad believing his time is up.
Following last night’s defeat at Selhurst Park, Antony, Mason Mount and Andre Onana were seen in discussion as they left the pitch, covering their mouths with their hands. Jamie Carragher has been among the former pros to suggest the trio were discussing their manager, with Scholes insisting those pictures ‘do not look good’ for ten Hag.
United have three games of the league campaign left at home to Arsenal and Newcastle United before a final day trip to Brighton.
Hopes of a top four finish have long been extinguished with the club now in danger of missing out on European qualification completely, slipping to eighth place with Newcastle and Chelsea finding form and moving ahead of them in recent weeks.
Their best hope of European qualification will be by beating City in this month’s final.
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