- Manchester United booked their place in FA Cup final after beating Coventry
- Gary Neville says it would be harsh to sack Ten Hag if he delivers another trophy
- If Erik ten Hag wins the FA Cup with Man United, does he deserve to keep his job? Listen to the It’s All Kicking Off podcast
Gary Neville has claimed it would be ‘extreme’ if Manchester United sacked Erik ten Hag with a FA Cup triumph.
United prevailed on penalties to reach the final following a remarkable tie against Championship side Coventry at Wembley.
Despite United establishing a three-goal lead, Coventry managed to pull level at 3-3 to send the game to extra-time, with penalties eventually following.
In a repeat of last year’s final, the Red Devils will take on local rivals Manchester City in next month’s decider.
And Neville believes it would be harsh to sack Ten hag if United prevail in the final, with pressure mounting on the Dutchman after a dismal campaign in the Premier league and Champions League.
The former defender said speaking on Sky Sports: ‘My view would be that if he won the FA Cup and he won a trophy last season, to sack a manager who’s won two trophies in his first two seasons at the club I think would be extreme.
‘Winning trophies can never ever be underestimated. If you’ve got a knack for winning trophies and you just get through things I don’t think you can dismiss that.
‘ There’s a good chance they (INEOS) would (sack Ten Hag). They’ve wiped everything else out at the top of the club and if he wins a trophy and it’s two trophies on the bounce, that’s tough.’
In contrast, Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher believes Ten Hag’s fate was sealed with the woful display against Coventry.
He said: ‘We were all watching there in the end and Mark Robins famously kept a Man Utd manager in a job and I think that result today cost a Man Utd manager his job.
‘I don’t see how he stays. I don’t. I would imagine that dressing room is the most embarrassed dressing room you could remember if a team who won a big game.’
Ten hag is under pressure with United almost guaranteed to miss out on Champions League football next campaign as they currently sit 16 points adrift of Aston Villa.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS are plotting sweeping changes this summer and this could extend to Ten Hag, although it is thought a decision has not yet been made.
The likes of Graham Potter and Gareth Southgate have been linked to the managerial role at Old Trafford in recent months.
Olivia Martin is a dedicated sports journalist based in the UK. With a passion for various athletic disciplines, she covers everything from major league championships to local sports events, delivering up-to-the-minute updates and in-depth analysis.
