On 25 May, Manchester United achieved a well-deserved victory over Manchester City in the FA Cup final.
This win was significant for numerous reasons, especially against the backdrop of speculation that United manager Erik ten Hag would be dismissed regardless of the match result.
The Dutch coach faced a challenging season at Old Trafford.
United recorded their poorest showing in the Champions League group stage, finishing at the bottom and thus eliminated from European competition.
After a rocky start to the Premier League, with six losses in the first ten matches, they concluded the season in eighth place with a negative goal difference—marking their lowest finish in the top tier since the 1989-90 season.
However, they wrapped up the season on a positive note, defeating City 2-1 in the FA Cup final.
Similar to his predecessor Louis van Gaal, who managed United eight years prior, Ten Hag entered the Wembley press room with confidence, cautioning new co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe that if he were let go, he would secure trophies “somewhere else”.
Van Gaal was dismissed within 24 hours, whereas Ten Hag had to wait 17 days for his fate to be determined. Following an in-depth review process, which involved discussions with other potential managers both before and after the FA Cup victory, United’s leadership traveled to Ibiza to inform the 54-year-old that they believed he was indeed the right choice all along.
They activated a one-year extension clause in his contract to affirm this decision.
For the first time since those momentous three weeks, Ten Hag has given an interview to BBC Sport during the club’s pre-season tour in the United States.
