Manchester United’s hard-fought penalty shootout victory over Coventry City in the FA Cup semi-final has reportedly led to a bleak outlook for manager Erik ten Hag.
Despite reaching the final, a substantial number of fans made their way to the stadium exits at full-time, signaling their waning faith in the team’s progress under Ten Hag. The Red Devils squandered a commanding 3-0 lead, allowing Coventry to mount a thrilling comeback and force extra time and penalties.
The Sun reports that Ten Hag’s fate has been decided, with his tenure at Old Trafford set to end regardless of the outcome of the FA Cup final against Manchester City on May 25. The Dutchman’s position has been under scrutiny following a disappointing campaign marked by inconsistency and a lack of tangible improvement on the pitch.
The collapse against Coventry unfolded under the watchful eyes of minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who had earlier achieved a personal best in the London Marathon. Ratcliffe’s presence alongside trusted aide Sir Dave Brailsford and technical director Jason Wilcox, as well as rare appearances by Avram and Joel Glazer, only served to heighten the scrutiny on Ten Hag’s performance.
The mass exodus of fans at Wembley, combined with the team’s underwhelming display, appears to have convinced the United hierarchy that a change in leadership is necessary. Ten Hag’s departure would mark a significant moment in the club’s recent history, as he became the first manager to be dismissed since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s exit in November 2021.
