May 25th 2024.
Erik ten Hag, the mastermind behind Manchester United's success in the FA Cup final, has presented his bosses with a major dilemma. The Dutchman's future has been the subject of intense speculation, with reports suggesting that he would be sacked regardless of the outcome at Wembley.
Despite being disrespected by Alan Shearer, Ten Hag proved his worth by orchestrating United's best performance of the season. His tactical masterplan was executed to perfection, leaving PFA Footballer of the Year, Phil Foden, without a sniff of a chance.
Before the game, Ten Hag revealed that the decision to play without a striker was a strategic move to neutralize Foden's threat. And it worked brilliantly. United took the lead in the first half when Alejandro Garnacho capitalized on a mix-up between Josko Gvardiol and Stefan Ortega, becoming the first teenager to score in an FA Cup final since Cristiano Ronaldo in 2004.
But that was only the beginning. Nine minutes later, another teenage product of United's prolific academy, Kobbie Mainoo, scored a brilliant goal to double their lead. It was a fitting end to a flowing team move, showcasing the talent and potential of United's young players.
In the second half, Manchester City tried to rally back and were unlucky not to score when Erling Haaland's shot hit the crossbar. Andre Onana also made a stunning save to deny Kyle Walker's powerful shot. However, Onana's mistake late in the game allowed Jeremy Doku to score for City, but United comfortably held on to their lead and secured an unlikely victory.
Now, Sir Jim Ratcliffe and United's key decision makers are faced with a difficult choice. Can they justify sacking a manager who has delivered major trophies in both of his seasons in charge? This is a question that has divided fans, and we want to hear from you. Share your thoughts in the poll below.
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