Manchester United Manager Erik Ten Hag was bullish about his future, even as rumours of his supposedly imminent sacking intensified this week.
Manchester United saved their best performance of the season for the game that mattered most.
It remains to be seen whether this stunning, trophy-winning end to an otherwise fraught campaign will be enough to save him. It was not enough for Louis van Gaal in 2016 and his team finished fifth, three places higher than Ten Hag’s, in the Premier League table.
But it certainly makes his case more compelling. Watching the delirious Manchester United celebrations after the final whistle, all the sweeter for having denied their rivals another double, it was difficult to fathom that this could be his final game in charge.
Manchester United are deserved FA Cup winners, securing a place in next season’s Europa League and making it two trophies in two years under Ten Hag, this one following last season’s Carabao Cup triumph over Newcastle.
The Dutchman had been at pains to draw attention to his injury list over the course of the season. Here, he welcomed back Marcus Rashford, with Raphael Varane fit enough to partner the returning Lisandro Martinez for only the sixth time all season in defence.
Their contribution was immense. Martinez and Varane got heads and boots to everything City threw at them. Rashford, meanwhile, gave a timely reminder of his huge talent following his England snub, proving a constant threat in behind, his swagger restored.
But this Manchester United triumph was not just down to returning personnel. It was tactical too. Their biggest problem this season has been the glaring openness of their midfield.
This was City’s first domestic defeat since early December and their first in 74 games with Rodri starting.
