Stick or Twist: The big question – Ten Hag at Manchester United

Should Manchester United sack or keep Erik ten Hag?

It was disheartening to see all the noise in the build-up to Manchester United’s FA Cup triumph focus on whether Erik ten Hag could be relieved of his job as United manager, regardless of the result against distant favourites Man City.

There is still a possibility that could happen, but the Dutchman left Wembley on Saturday with a reason to have a spring in his step, even if United did finish eighth in the Premier League this season.

Since being appointed United manager in 2022, Ten Hag has led the team to three finals in two years as United boss, winning two trophies. There had been a five-year trophy drought, which ran to six by the time we won the League Cup in February 2023.

That’s why I found his response to a reporter’s question about his future fittingly cheeky, but honest at the same time.

“If they don’t want me anymore, I will go somewhere else and keep winning games, winning trophies,” Ten Hag said, as per Sky Sports.

Critics used trophies as a stick to beat Ole Gunnar Solskjaer because he missed out on that Europa League chance after a final I have attempted to blank from my memory. They can’t hit Ten Hag with that stick.

Will Manchester United stick or twist?

That is the big question as we head into a week in which United officials will conduct a season review before concluding Ten Hag’s future.

On Friday, word on the grapevine got around that Ten Hag was likely to be dismissed after the final. I don’t think anyone expected United to win at Wembley, but it remains to be seen if that puts a spanner in the works.

Ten Hag’s side delivered a performance full of spirit and hunger. BBC Sport duo Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer were both obnoxious with the manager in his post-match interview, laying into him over previous performance and trying to spoil the occasion. Some will say the criticisms were fair. Why haven’t United shown the same desire, commitment and willingness to win all season? These are all valid questions but I revert to the injuries and wonder where we would have finished with those players available. It was by some considerable distance United’s best performance of the season.

Ineos aren’t naive. They know there would be significant backlash from fanbase, if they sack Ten Hag. It would leave too many unanswered questions, and unfinished chapters. While it would be difficult for the club to sack Ten Hag now, after winning two trophies in his first two years, does it not give Ineos an unnecessary headache in their first summer at the club?

I would be more understanding of Ineos wanting to appoint their own man to head their operation in the dressing room, but not when none of the current candidates are outstanding.

Ten Hag has given United fans some fantastic moments in his two years at the club. To sack him now, after winning the FA Cup, would be the wrong call.

Bald is best.