Potential Departure Looms for Manchester United Manager Despite FA Cup Triumph

After winning a significant trophy, teams usually have a time to celebrate and enjoy their victory, especially after beating a strong opponent in the final.

However, Manchester United's joy of defeating Manchester City and winning the English FA Cup was dampened by news that their manager, Erik ten Hag, would be dismissed no matter the outcome.

When those reports were put to him after Sunday’s victory, Ten Hag pointed to his trophy-winning résumé.

Manchester United celebrates winning the FA Cup.

Manchester United celebrates winning the FA Cup.

Andrew Couldridge/Action Images/Reuters

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He told reporters after the game, "If they don't want me anymore, then I'll go anywhere else to win trophies because that is what I have done my whole career."

Referring to his team's League Cup victory last year, he said, "The team is progressing, and we are winning trophies. Two trophies in two years is not bad. Three finals is not bad but we have to keep going. I'm not satisfied with it."

CNN has reached out to Manchester United for a statement regarding the speculation surrounding Ten Hag's position at the club.

Ten Hag, who has been with the team for nearly two years, had a strong beginning but oversaw United's disappointing season this year, finishing in eighth place in the Premier League and missing out on European football qualification.

United's inconsistent performances in the league reached a low point with a 4-0 defeat against Crystal Palace recently. This added more pressure on an already struggling Ten Hag and intensified the feeling of crisis at the club.

Ten Hag has mentioned that injuries have played a part in United's up and down form, but the arrival of new funds from British billionaire Jim Ratcliffe has raised expectations for better results.

Erik ten Hag celebrates with his players after winning the FA Cup.

Erik ten Hag celebrates with his players after winning the FA Cup.

Before the FA Cup final on Saturday, there was a feeling of pessimism that United would lose, just like they did last year, to City who had recently won the Premier League.

United's young talents, Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo, both scored in the first half to help the club secure a 2-1 win against City.

After the match, Ten Hag expressed his satisfaction with the team's progress, stating, "I'm involved in a project where we are right on track. When I first arrived, Manchester United was in disarray. Now, we are on our way to building a team for the future."

"We still have a lot of work ahead of us, but we are making progress," he mentioned. "Our team has valuable players with great potential who are developing well."

However, winning one trophy may not be enough to secure Ten Hag's position. In the past, United has fired a manager right after winning the FA Cup, like they did with Louis van Gaal in 2016. Ten Hag has yet to bring the stability and success that was characteristic of United in the 1990s and 2000s.

Editor's P/S:

Despite clinching the FA Cup, Erik ten Hag's future at Manchester United remains uncertain. The club's inconsistent performances and recent disappointing finish in the Premier League have cast a shadow over his tenure. While Ten Hag highlights his trophy-winning record and the team's progress, rumors of his impending dismissal persist.

Ten Hag's situation is a reflection of the high expectations and pressure that come with managing a club like Manchester United. The club's history of success and the arrival of new investment have raised hopes for a return to the glory days. However, achieving stability and sustained success has proven elusive for Ten Hag, and the FA Cup victory may not be enough to silence his critics.