- Paul Merson insisted Man United need a miracle to win the FA cup next Sunday
- Erik ten Hag’s side likely need to beat Man City at Wembley to qualify for Europe
- Erik ten Hag’s potential replacement needs to beware ‘micro-manager’ Sir Jim Ratcliffe – Listen to the It’s All Kicking Off! podcast
Paul Merson has insisted Erik ten Hag deserves a knighthood if he is able to lead Man United to victory against Man City in the FA Cup final later this month.
The Dutchman has been under mounting pressure at Old Trafford in recent weeks, with defeat to Arsenal on Sunday leaving United three points adrift of a European spot with two games remaining.
However, the one saving grace for Ten Hag in his second season at the club has been his team’s performances in the FA Cup.
In March, his side completed a dramatic stoppage-time fightback against Liverpool to secure a place in the semis before going on to dispatch Championship Coventry on penalties.
Their biggest test awaits them on the 25th as they take on their noisy neighbours in a bid to avenge their defeat in last season’s final.
Paul Merson claimed Erik ten Hag deserves to be knighted if he can guide Man United to FA Cup glory
Against Arsenal on Sunday the Red Devils fell to their 14th defeat of the season in the league
Pep Guardiola’s side have been at their all-conquering best of late and Merson insisted United may need some kind of divine intervention to emerge victorious at Wembley.
‘I mean, if they beat Man City in the FA Cup Final, looking at the last few results, looking at Palace, he should get knighted.’ Merson said on Sky Sports.
‘He should get knighted. I’m not exaggerating. He should get knighted, because it would be a miracle. It would be a miracle if they beat Man City.’
United currently sit eighth in the table, leaving the club on course for their worst-ever finish in the top flight in the Premier League era.
Speaking on the current situation at United, the former Arsenal star insisted he would have never envisioned the club going through such difficulties both on and off the pitch.
‘I didn’t think in my lifetime that I’d see this.’ He continued.
Merson warned that Ten Hag’s team will need a miracle to be able to stop Man City at Wembley
There never has been a negative goal difference for Manchester United [at the end of a Premier League season] but even eighth.
‘I mean, eighth in the league… This is still like sitting here today, in my opinion, the biggest club in the world. You know, still one of the biggest clubs in the world.’
