United beats City to FA Cup trophy, earns Europa League ticket

Manchester United's FA Cup victory over City secures Europa League spot, with Ten Hag's post-match comments stirring debate about his future

Manchester United beat their city rivals Manchester City at Wembley to lift the 2024 FA Cup trophy. (Photo credit: Sky Sports)

Manchester United beat Manchester City with a gritty defensive performance at Wembley to become the FA Cup champions, but it was Erik Ten Hag’s post-match statement that caught the eye.

The Dutchman led United to Wembley and returned victorious against all expectations, with Manchester City tipped to win, but the FA Cup showed up with surprises again, leaving United with their thirteenth FA Cup title, one behind the Gunners.

"Two trophies in two years is not bad; three finals in two years is not bad," Ten Hag told a post-match news conference Saturday. "If they don't want me, then I go somewhere else to win trophies because that is what I do."

The strong statement from Ten Hag has divided fans who want him gone and others who feel he needs time and some element of luck. In the just-concluded season, United suffered a lot of injuries, with the manager having to chop and shove in defense too many times for comfort.

Regardless of his cup final performance, there are rumors that the manager is about to lose his job. Winning the trophy, his second in two years, shows progress, which the fans appreciate, but does the INEOS Group see him as the right person for the job moving forward?

Asked if he thinks he has the backing of the owners, "That is what they always tell me,” he said. "How many times must I reiterate this to you?" he asked. Every time, it is the same question. Do I have to repeat myself 10, 15, or 20 times?" If they tell me so often, they don't have to tell me every week. I heard it many times."

Also, Ten Hag refused to comment on the possibility of the United Board going ahead to discuss potential replacements for him. “I don’t have that information,"  he said.

Manchester United winning the FA Cup implies that the Red Devils now automatically qualify for the Europa League, pushing Chelsea to the Europa Conference League and knocking Newcastle’s hope of sneaking into Europe by any means.

"I am working on a project, and we are precisely where we want to be; we are building a team for the future." When I took over, the team was in a state of disarray. The team is developing, winning, and has an identity, but you need the players to be available and a strong squad, especially when you play in England and Europe.

"There is a lot of work to do, but we value the squad and have high potential. "The team is progressing, and we are winning trophies."