Manchester United’s Erik ten Hag has defiantly opened up on his future at Old Trafford in an explosive interview amid speculation that he will be sacked after Saturday’s FA Cup final, regardless of whether United win or lose the match.
The Dutchman has clawed back at his critics and the media to reveal that Ineos have told him that they want to rebuild Manchester United with him in charge amid speculation over his future.
The former Ajax manager is belaboring under intense pressure at Old Trafford, without the comfort of knowing how his employers view his current stature at Old Trafford after United finished eighth in the Premier League, their lowest top-flight finish since 1989/90. However Ten Hag could have earned himself a reprieve after his side face rivals outplayed bitter rivals Manchester City in the FA Cup final on Saturday, but reports on Friday have claimed that this shock victory would not be sufficient to spare the Dutchman from the noose.
Men Sport understands that priot to the match, co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe remained unconvinced about Ten Hag’s ability to lead United going forward. Whether this is still the status quo after United’s victory is still in the dark.
However, as always, Ten Hag prefers to have a different view of things. He opened up on a difficult season in an interview before the FA
Cup final and opined: “INEOS told me that they want to change everything and that they want to rebuild with me.
This is what they told me directly,” he said.
“INEOS will change things in the club and certain projects have already started. Carrington will get be completely destroyed, a new training ground will come.
“Let me be clear. It has been bad. It has been crap. But despite everything, we are going to play an FA Cup final.”
Ten Hag also had his say on the expectations at United, which he believes are currently, and totally, unrealistic.
“Manchester United won the league for the last time in 2013, 11 years ago. But still they expect us to win every game while competing at the top. This club is not ready for that,” he insists.
“We were supposed to start building something and we made the first steps last year, but then you find out how big this club is and that nobody is ever satisfied.
“Within the club people were satisfied, but outside the club there was noise by saying I won only the Carabao Cup, lost the FA Cup Final and became 3rd. Well, then you have no sense of reality. Other clubs had a much better squad”.