Ratcliffe urged to snub two top managers and keep Ten Hag as Arteta ridiculed

A former Premier League captain has told Manchester United to keep Erik ten Hag and ditch two big-name managers as he mocks Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta.

The Ten Hag appeared to be sleepwalking towards being sacked at Man Utd in the build-up to their FA Cup final clash against Manchester City. Pre-game reports even suggested that the Dutchman would be dropped by Sir Jim Ratcliffe regardless of the result.

But the Ten Hag stunned Pep Guardiola and City with a tactical masterclass in the first half as Man Utd went 2-0 up thanks to goals from Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo.

City had several chances after the break and pulled one back through Jeremy Doku late on. But it wasn’t enough and Man Utd won a second trophy in two seasons after triumphing in the League Cup in 2022-23.

Sources have confirmed to TEAMtalk that the Ten Hag is still more likely to be sacked than kept at Old Trafford, despite new silverware being added to the club’s trophy cabinet.

Ratcliffe and fellow INEOS chief Sir Dave Brailsford will take all of the last two years into account when considering Ten Hag’s future.

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But former Derby County captain and Leicester City star Robbie Savage believes the Ten Hag has done enough to stay on as Man Utd manager, at least until Christmas.

The pundit told Ratcliffe to steer clear of former Chelsea bosses Mauricio Pochettino and Thomas Tuchel, claiming the Ten Hag actually did better than Arteta despite all of Arsenal’s brilliant football.

Man Utd news: Erik ten Hag backed to stay put

“Erik ten Hag has earned the right to remain Manchester United manager – at least until Christmas,” Savage wrote in his latest column in the English press.

“I wrote United off before the FA Cup final and got it wrong. Now, after claiming his second trophy in as many seasons at Old Trafford, the Ten Hag can say he has had a better season than Mauricio Pochettino, Ange Postecoglou and even Mikel Arteta.

“You don’t get trophies or open-top bus parades for playing beautiful football. The Big Ange restored some grip on Tottenham, but they only finished fifth after going five points clear at the top last October. And Spurs last won a cup back in 2008.

“Pochettino finished the season strongly but Chelsea will play in the Europa Conference League on Thursday night.

“Arsenal pushed Manchester City all the way in the title race, but there are no trophies for ‘almost’ in football. It’s four years in a row without major silverware at the Emirates.

“You could even argue that Ten Hag’s season was on a par with Jurgen Klopp’s farewell campaign at Liverpool. After all, they finished with a cup each.

“United were so well organised, structured, disciplined and motivated in the cup final that Ten Hag deserves at least a stay of execution.”

While Savage labeled Man Utd’s league campaign “miserable”, he praised Ten Hag for beating Guardiola at Wembley and the 54-year-old said he would go elsewhere and win trophies if he gets fired.

Ratcliffe told him to ignore Pochettino, Tuchel

Savage continued: “If United sack Ten Hag, what are the best alternatives? Pochettino is yet to win anything in English football, Thomas Tuchel has yet to win anything with Bayern Munich this year and Kieran McKenna has signed a new contract at Ipswich.

“I now give them at least until Christmas to improve on their 57.89% rate at Old Trafford – for reference, Guardiola’s win ratio at City is 72.67 – provided there can be no more humiliations 7-0 at Anfield, no more embarrassments of 4-0 at Brentford, Brighton or Crystal Palace.’

According to the latest reports, Ratcliffe’s final decision on Ten Hag has been delayed and is unlikely to come until next week.

It was even claimed that Man Utd could talk to Xavi after his departure from Barcelona. However, it is more likely that they will start talks with Pochettino and Tuchel.

Man Utd are big admirers of England boss Gareth Southgate, but the move would come as a surprise given his commitment to the Euros this summer.

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