Rio Ferdinand believes that Erik ten Hag is likely to leave Manchester United regardless of the result of Saturday’s FA Cup Final after a turbulent season at Old Trafford.
The Red Devils ended their Premier League season with a 2-0 victory against Brighton, but Sunday’s result wasn’t enough to save the club from their lowest-ever Premier League finish.
Ending the season eighth in the table means that Man United will be without European football next term should they fail to bypass crosstown rivals Manchester City at Wembley.
A question mark has loomed over Ten Hag’s tenure after a chaotic 2023-24 season which saw his injury-stricken side knocked out of the Champions League after the group stage, and stutter through a number of high-profile defeats.
While winning on Saturday could end Man United’s season on an emphatic high, however, the former Man United player admitted it may not be enough to see the Dutchman through to a third season in the dugout.
Erik ten Hag’s job could remain in doubt even if the manager wins Man United the FA Cup final
The Red Devils ended their Premier League season on a high with a 2-0 victory versus Brighton
But Rio Ferdinand was still concerned with Man United’s 2023-24 season as a whole at the end
‘The more and more I think about it, win or lose, I don’t think Ten Hag will be there come next season,’ Ferdinand shared on his podcast FIVE.
‘I’m not saying that’s what I want, I’m just saying what I believe is going to happen, and I believe that the club are going to look elsewhere I think.
‘I don’t think (winning the FA Cup) changes anything in the eyes of INEOS. I’ve not spoken to anyone there, this is just an assumption, this is what I think.’
The pundit’s reasoning, he stressed, stemmed from performances throughout the season, even in the face of allowances for Man United’s prolonged injury crisis.
‘Put injuries aside, the performances of the team have been so bad,’ Ferdinand continued. ‘Most teams have had injuries, maybe not to the same extent as Man United.
‘I keep saying this, I sound like a broken record: performance level can drop but your style of football should be there to identify. It’s not.
United’s depleted squad ranks have been boosted by the return of defender Lisandro Martinez
‘I don’t know what we are. I don’t know who we are. Who are we as a team? What are we?’
Ten Hag has argued in recent weeks that it would be nonsensical to halt his side’s progress and interrupt his spell at the club, claiming that he is the right man to lead Man United ongoing.
‘I have no doubt about this,’ Ten Hag said after defeat to Arsenal at Old Trafford earlier this month.
‘As human beings and my experience that will always happen once in three months when you are not in the right attitude.
‘But, mostly this team has the right spirit and they execute the rules and principles of the game even if they have to adapt in their positions.’
The manager also offered a passionate rallying cry ahead of the end of the season on the pitch at Old Trafford after beating Newcastle in their penultimate Premier League match last week, saying that he and his players would offer ‘everything’ to win the FA Cup ‘and bring it to Old Trafford’.
Ten Hag gave a passionate rallying cry to supporters at Man United’s last home match this term
Sir Jim Ratcliffe (right) is believed to have considered alternative candidates for the role
But despite his conviction, Ten Hag’s future is not yet assured, with United’s partial owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his INEOS team believed to be speaking to potential alternatives.
Last week saw reports that the Man United hierarchy had made contact with Ipswich manager Kieran McKenna, who has guided the Tractor Boys to Premier League promotion this season.
Big names in management such as Gareth Southgate and Thomas Tuchel have also been heavily linked with a move to succeed the Dutchman.
