The coaching future of Manchester United’s Erik ten Hag appears to be hanging by a thread as he pins his hopes on rescuing what he considers to be a disappointing season with a potential victory in the upcoming FA Cup final against Manchester City. Former Manchester United captain Rio Ferdinand doubts that Erik ten Hag will continue as the team’s coach, regardless of the outcome of the final match. Ferdinand expressed his belief that Ten Hag’s tenure at Old Trafford is unlikely to extend beyond this season, even if they emerge victorious in the FA Cup final against Manchester City on May 25th.

Ferdinand shared his thoughts on his YouTube channel, expressing skepticism about Ten Hag’s prospects of remaining at the club next season, irrespective of the final match’s result. He remarked, “I’m contemplating Ten Hag’s future, and irrespective of the result in the final match, I don’t foresee him remaining there next season. I’m not advocating for Manchester United to dismiss Ten Hag; I’m simply predicting what I believe will unfold, and I anticipate the club seeking an alternative. Furthermore, I don’t think winning the FA Cup will alter INEOS’s perception, though this is merely conjecture on my part.”

Manchester United has reportedly been scouting potential replacements for Ten Hag, including Thomas Tuchel, Graham Potter, Gareth Southgate, and Kieran McKenna, but no official announcements have been made as of the 25th of May.

Ferdinand, a football pundit, also voiced dissatisfaction with Manchester United’s performance this season, attributing it to excessive reliance on team captain Bruno Fernandes. He asserted, “Setting aside injuries, which every club contends with, the team’s performance has been dismal. While most teams experience injuries, perhaps not to the extent seen at Manchester United. I’ve reiterated this point repeatedly: while performance levels may fluctuate, a team’s playing style must be recognizable. Manchester United lacks this identity. I’m unsure of their playing style or team identity. It’s evident that they overly depend on Bruno Fernandes. This should serve as a warning sign for Manchester United. Notably, in Bruno’s absence, the team’s decline in quality is glaringly apparent. Their performances have been subpar, a sight unseen for many years.”

Manchester United secured a 2-0 victory over Brighton & Hove Albion at The Amex in the Premier League. They concluded the Premier League season in eighth place in the standings and are currently ineligible for European competitions next season. However, a win against Manchester City in the FA Cup final on May 25th could see Manchester United qualify for the Europa League.

Manchester United has experienced their poorest performance since the establishment of the major domestic league in 1992 and now faces the daunting task of defeating reigning champions Manchester City at Wembley Stadium. Manchester City, once regarded as Manchester United’s noisy neighbors, have now emerged as formidable opponents. Regardless of the outcome of the FA Cup final, the future of coach Erik ten Hag remains uncertain, reminiscent of Luis van Gaal’s dismissal less than two days after winning the national cup.