Rio Ferdinand believes Erik ten Hag is likely to leave Manchester United regardless of the outcome of Saturday’s FA Cup final after a turbulent season at Old Trafford.
The Red Devils ended their Premier League season with a 2-0 win against Brighton, but Sunday’s result was not enough to save the club from its worst Premier League result.
Finishing the season eighth in the table means Man United will be left without European football next season if they fail to overcome cross-town rivals Manchester City at Wembley.
A question mark has hung over Ten Hag’s tenure after a chaotic 2023-24 season that saw his injury-hit team knocked out of the Champions League after the group stage and stutter through a series of high-profile defeats.
While winning on Saturday could end Man United’s season on a high, the former Man United player admitted it may not be enough to see the Dutchman into a third season in the dugout.
Erik ten Hag’s job could remain in doubt even if the manager wins the FA Cup final with Man United
The Red Devils finished their Premier League season on a high with a 2-0 win against Brighton.
But Rio Ferdinand was still worried about Man United’s 2023-24 season as a whole in the end.
“The more I think about it, win or lose, I don’t think Ten Hag will be there next season,” Ferdinand shared on his podcast. FIVE.
“I’m not saying that’s what I want, I’m just saying what I think is going to happen, and I think the club is going to look elsewhere, I think.”
‘I don’t think (winning the FA Cup) will change anything in the eyes of INEOS. I haven’t spoken to anyone there, this is just a guess, this is what I think.’
The expert’s reasoning, he stressed, stems from performances throughout the season, even in the face of concessions from Man United’s prolonged injury crisis.
“Injuries aside, the team’s performance has been very poor,” Ferdinand continued. “Most teams have had injuries, maybe not to the same extent as Man United.
“I keep saying this, I sound like a broken record: the level of performance can go down, but your style of football must be there to identify it. Which it is not.
United’s depleted squad has been boosted by the return of defender Lisandro Martínez
‘I don’t know what we are. I don’t know who we are. Who are we as a team? What are we?’
Ten Hag has argued in recent weeks that it would make no sense to stop his team’s progress and interrupt his time at the club, claiming he is the right man to lead Man United.
“I have no doubt about it,” Ten Hag said after the defeat to Arsenal at Old Trafford earlier this month.
‘As human beings and my experience, that will always happen once every three months when you are not in the right attitude.
“But above all, this team has the right spirit and executes the rules and principles of the game even if they have to adapt in their positions.”
The manager also offered a passionate rallying cry ahead of the end of the season on the Old Trafford pitch after beating Newcastle in their penultimate Premier League game last week, saying he and his players would give it “everything” to win the FA Cup. and take it to Old Trafford.”
Ten Hag gave a passionate rallying cry to supporters in Man United’s final home game this season.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe (right) is believed to have considered alternative candidates for the role.
But despite his conviction, Ten Hag’s future is not yet assured, with United part-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his INEOS team believed to be discussing possible alternatives.
Last week there were reports that the Man United hierarchy had contacted Ipswich manager Kieran McKenna, who guided the Tractor Boys to promotion to the Premier League this season.
Big names in management such as Gareth Southgate and Thomas Tuchel have also been strongly linked with the possibility of succeeding the Dutchman.
