Following heavy criticism after Manchester United’s FA Cup semi-final victory over Coventry City, manager Erik ten Hag has come out fighting. The Dutch coach expressed anger at the negative reaction, stating that his team had deserved to reach the final. Ten Hag highlighted the difficulty of the game and emphasized the importance of results in top-level football.
However, pressure on ten Hag remains high, with United’s performances and results falling short of expectations. The club has invested heavily in new players, but injuries and tactical issues have prevented them from challenging for major trophies. With seven games remaining in the season, ten Hag needs to secure victories, especially against struggling teams like Sheffield United, to strengthen his position.
Despite the recent criticism, sources at United indicate that planning for next season and the pre-season tour is being done with ten Hag in consideration. The club’s new technical director, Jason Wilcox, has met with the manager to discuss the team’s style of play. However, ten Hag’s future ultimately depends on the team’s upcoming results and their performance in the remaining fixtures, including a crucial clash against Sheffield United.
Should United fail to impress, ten Hag could face the same fate as his predecessor Louis van Gaal, who was dismissed in 2016 after a disappointing spell at Old Trafford. The club’s hierarchy, including prospective new owners, will be closely monitoring ten Hag’s progress as they make decisions about the team’s future direction.
