Man Utd Stars Pledge To Do ‘Great Things’ As Ten Hag Awaits Sack Verdict

Manchester United’s FA Cup-winning stars have committed to “achieve great things” in the future as manager Erik ten Hag awaits his dismissal.

Ten Hag entered Saturday’s FA Cup final against Manchester City with reports that he would be fired regardless of the outcome at Wembley.

Following the club’s worst Premier League result since 1990, United co-owner Jim Ratcliffe and his lieutenants are said to have sounded out many prospective replacements for Ten Hag.

However, Ten Hag provided Ratcliffe with food for thought as his tactical brilliance prompted a 2-1 victory that ended City’s hopes of winning consecutive Premier League and FA Cup doubles.

United won the FA Cup for the first time in eight years, due to goals from teenagers Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo, earning Ten Hag two trophies during his difficult two-year rule.

It remains to be seen whether that will be enough to give Ten Hag a stay of execution, with United likely to undergo a season-long evaluation before deciding on his fate.

United’s players showed their support for Ten Hag with a spirited victory over City, then embraced the former Ajax manager warmly during the post-match celebrations.

On Sunday, the 28-man first team squad posted a letter — also signed by Ten Hag — on the club website, conceding that this season has “not been good enough” as they look to build on their surprising Wembley victory.

“We all know that this club is special. Yesterday’s game was yet another reminder of that,” the letter said.

“As we fought to win the FA Cup, the incredible atmosphere you generated inside Wembley helped push us over the line.

“Celebrating all together was beautiful. Fans, staff, players – all united as one. Those memories will live with us forever.

“It was a further reminder that with your support behind us, and the United badge on our chests, we can achieve great things.”

‘Excited for the Future’

When questioned on his way out of Wembley on Saturday, Ratcliffe declined to answer a question about Ten Hag’s future.

But, along with directors Sir Dave Brailsford and Jean-Claude Blanc, as well as technical director Jason Wilcox, the British millionaire must make a decision on Ten Hag soon.

The Dutch coach is thought to have gone out on holiday on Sunday after warning United in his post-match press conference that if they fired him, he would continue to win championships somewhere.

Former Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino, former Bayern Munich manager Thomas Tuchel, England coach Gareth Southgate, and Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna have all been connected with the United post.

United centre-back Jonny Evans went public with his backing for Ten Hag, saying: “I only have extremely wonderful things to say about him.

“Over the last month, he has shown incredible tactical flexibility. Sitting off and counter-attacking is not the style he sees himself coaching but he has recognised the right time to do it and has done it.”

Regardless of who is in charge next season, United’s players are determined to lift the club back to the top sooner rather than later.

“We know this season overall has not been good enough and we make no excuses. But we ended it in the best way possible, celebrating a trophy all together,” they wrote.

“We want more days like yesterday. We are excited for the future here. There is so much that we have to achieve together. We will fight to bring Manchester United the success that this special club deserves.”

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