Manchester United have said they will “not be distracted by speculation” amid rumours manager Erik ten Hag will be sacked after the FA Cup final against Manchester City.
Speculation about Ten Hag‘s future at the Premier League club was further cast into doubt after a source told The Guardian that even winning the cup on Saturday would not save him.
When asked about the rumours, United said their focus is on the match at Wembley Stadium.
The club insists no decision has been made yet, and the final won’t sway their thinking after conducting a comprehensive review – led by Sir Dave Brailsford and then Jason Wilcox – into Ten Hag’s two seasons in charge.
Despite winning the Carabao Cup and finishing third last season, the Dutchman has been unable to build on his early work and many of his signings have not worked out.
A list of potential replacements have already been circulating including Mauricio Pochettino, Kieran McKenna, Thomas Tuchel and Thomas Frank.
But this shortlist is incomplete, Sky Sports News reporter Melissa Reddy said, as the situation at Chelsea means they are now in the market for many of the same options. Chelsea parted company with Pochettino earlier this week.
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Speaking at a news conference last Sunday, Ten Hag was publicly defiant when it was suggested this weekend’s game at Wembley would be his goodbye to United.
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“That’s not how I feel it and see it,” he told reporters. Last month, he said he didn’t “have any doubts” he was continuing in the post.
Ten Hag signed a three-year deal with United in 2022 taking over from the club’s interim coach Ralf Rangnick after former coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was sacked.
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