FA Cup victory should not stop Man United from sacking Erik ten Hag

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Having prepared just the right game plan for the FA Cup final, Erik ten Hag appeared to have prepared a ready-made response as well. The Dutch manager had just added a little more glory to Manchester United’s history, but all things considered, questions about his future inevitably dominated the aftermath of the victory over Manchester City.

Ten Hag spoke about winning another trophy, the “identity of the team”, his record, injuries and how United were “a mess” when he took over, as he did in two interviews immediately after the game. Then, like the game itself, it was a surprise.

“If they don’t want me, then I’ll go somewhere else to win trophies, because that’s what I’ve done my whole career.”

It was as telling a comment as it got, if one with some assertiveness behind it. Ten Hag has generally handled a difficult situation well, given that the entire game has been framed by questions about his future.

It also puts INEOS in a more difficult position given that any sacking would clearly be unpopular with a significant portion of the fan base. This is a test for that, at least if they haven’t already made up their mind. The reality is that almost everything about the day suggested that the call had already been made.

As Ten Hag spoke to the broadcasters, Sir Jim Ratcliffe walked through the mixed area with Sir Dave Brailsford by his side. He originally went to stop by for an interview, only the first question was whether Ten Hag would continue as manager. Ratcliffe’s expression momentarily changed from a smile as he registered the question, before turning and walking away without a word. Perhaps it said more than any real answer ever could. United’s minority owner, who will now make all major decisions in football, did not mention Ten Hag in an earlier comment.

Many of the manager’s own responses seemed to accept his fate. Although he said in an earlier interview with Dutch media that INEOS had told him they wanted him to continue, he declined to say when that was in his post-match press conference.

“That’s what I always tell myself,” he said first, before being pressed when. “But how many times do I have to tell you, every time it’s the same question, do I have to repeat myself 10, 15, 20 times? Don’t they have to tell me every week if I tell them so often?”

In addition to all of this, there was a more poignant comment from Ten Hag.

“The FA Cup was definitely one on my bucket list,” he said. “It’s such a big trophy. I’m so happy to have won it with the players, the team and the staff. It’s a real team effort.”

Even an analysis of what it all means should, of course, recognize what the day was really about, because that’s what Manchester United should be about: winning trophies; glory. Precisely because this has recently seemed such a distant prospect, as Manchester City claim everything before them, this victory was all the more deeply savored. Elements of it were almost sweeter than many won under Sir Alex Ferguson, who strode through the mixed area laughing that he had refused interviews because he was now retired. United fans have gleefully taunted City over the 115 charges of alleged breaches of Financial Fair Play rules, of which the English champions insist they are innocent.

What really stood out about this performance was how Ten Hag’s crew seemed to distill all of these emotions into something defiant, where they seized the moment. In the end, it looked like it meant more to United than City. Ten Hag’s team played for him and everything.

“I really enjoyed this final,” he continued. “First of all, lifting the trophy, but mostly the way we played. Then you see all the work we put in together, staff, players, together to develop and progress this team. And if then you play at this level against the best team in the world… I’m very pleased.”

Ten Hag also repeatedly emphasized the idea of ​​absences and how he had key players back. This was most important in central defense and it is no coincidence that one of the most solid performances of the season came with Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez back together. The Argentine set the tone with a brilliant early challenge.

And yet, almost in this approach there were arguments why Ten Hag should not continue. As supreme as that performance was, it wasn’t really the kind of football the Dutch coach was brought in to introduce. It wasn’t the “identity” he was talking about. It was just the plan to play Pep Guardiola’s City, although of course it was executed to the max.

And there is the hinge.

A successful one-game approach does not necessarily indicate a long-term successful approach. That’s why the point about center halves is almost wrong. It was better to have them back, sure, but the real uncertainty without them comes from when United have to play a more expansive game.

It was here that Ten Hag’s post-game mood was a bit more questionable. He kept repeating how “the team is progressing” and they are “exactly where I want them”, but this is eighth in the table, with the majority of games in recent months representing performances where United have been under extreme pressure. . If that’s where he wants them, it would be easy to understand why INEOS no longer wants Ten Hag.

That was also the reason why this victory stood out all the more. The 2-1 win was by far United’s best of the season with impressive conviction. The problem was that it felt a product of the circumstances rather than the wider context and how the team is managed.

The response also reflected another issue. Ten Hag has generally refused to accept responsibility, at least publicly.

At this point, he in turn accepted a second medal of his United career. He brought the club back to victory. However, its high value does not necessarily mean that it is worth keeping.