LONDON (AP) — If it was Erik ten Hag’s last match in charge from Manchester United, it was a sensational way to go out.
Amid intense speculation that he would be about to be firedTen Hag and United stunned defending champions Manchester City 2-1 to win the FA Cup at Wembley on Saturday.
Receiving his medal from the future King of England, Prince William, the Dutchman then got his hands on his second trophy in as many seasons to end an eventful campaign in style.
Is this enough to save his job?
“I’m not happy with this, we need to do better, and if they don’t want me anymore I’ll go somewhere else to win trophies because that’s what I’ve done my whole career,” said Ten Hag, provocative. “We are building a team and when I took over it was chaos at Manchester United.”
First-half goals from Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo secured the victory. City piled on the pressure after the break and eventually scored a late goal through substitute Jeremy Doku.
United’s owners were watching from the executive seats at Wembley and have a decision to make.
“We are all very proud of the players and staff who work tirelessly to support them,” said new co-owner Jim Ratcliffe.
The British billionaire bought a 27.7% stake in United in February and refounded the club. Ten Hag is widely expected to become the latest casualty of their overhaul, regardless of their cup final triumph.
That theory will be put to the test after this victory, which denied crosstown rivals City the first consecutive English League and Cup double and also ensured United qualify for next season’s Europa League .
“My game plan was not good,” City manager Pep Guardiola said.
Ten Hag got their tactic right as United absorbed the pressure and pounced to take control at the break.
Garnacho opened the scoring in the 30th minute, causing panic in the City defense by chasing down a hopeful Diogo Dalot punt deep in his own half. Josko Gvardiol was quicker with the ball, but his headed back pass went past City goalkeeper Stefan Ortega to leave Garnacho with an open net to head home.
If that goal benefited from luck, United’s second nine minutes later came from a clever attack, with Garnacho at the heart of the game by cutting in from the right wing and bringing in Bruno Fernandes.
The United captain made a no-look first-time pass to Mainoo, who coolly slotted past Ortega.
The final was a repeat of last year’s, won by City 2-1, and Pep Guardiola’s side did not give up their trophy without a fight. Doku’s long-range shot in the 87th set up a nervy finish.
By then, Erling Haaland had hit the bar, Kyle Walker had forced goalkeeper Andre Onana into two tense saves, and substitute Julian Alvarez had missed the target from close range with only the keeper to beat.
This is United’s 13th FA Cup, one behind Arsenal’s record of 14. And it is Ten Hag’s second trophy after winning the League Cup last year.
Players and staff embraced him on the pitch after the final whistle and fans applauded enthusiastically as he collected the trophy in front of co-owners, Americans Joel and Avram Glazer and Ratcliffe.
The victory, however, came after United’s worst league season in 34 years.
“It’s been a difficult season, with ups and downs. This is the only thing we should have expected,” said Mainoo. “We knew we had to come together. The preparation for this match was incredible. We showed that we can compete and win games.
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James Robson is at https://twitter.com/jamesalanrobson
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