Against all odds, the Erik ten Hag led Manchester United this Saturday afternoon stunned Premier league champions, Manchester City to take the FA Cup with a shock 2-1 victory in the final of the 2024 FA cup.
Despite heavy rumours surrounding his impending sack, Ten Hag surprised many pundits by creating an antidote to the dominance of the noisy neighbours through a tactical masterclass at Wembley to show that he still has a lot offer the Red Devils, if allowed to stay.
Two first half goals from Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo put United on course to win the FA Cup for the first time in eight years in a match that majority thought would be an easy stroll by the Pep tutored blues.
Jeremy Doku squeezed an 87th minute strike past Andre Onana’s weak attempted save but it was too late to rescue City.
It’s been speculated that Ten Hag would exit like his fellow Dutchman, Louis van Gaal who left Old Trafford after winning FA cup against Crystal Palace in 2016.
However, few admirers of Ten Hag will hope a more apt comparison is Alex Ferguson’s 1990 FA Cup final win against Palace, which kick-started his remarkable run after calls for his sacking earlier that season.
With the victory, Manchester United have denied Chelsea the opportunity to play in next season’s Europa League win against Palace, which kick-started his remarkable run after calls for his sacking earlier that season.
