“‘OK, you’ve proved you can win the Fa Cup, now go back to Scotland.’ I never forgot that,” Sir Alex wrote in his autobiography. This was the sentiment in the press ahead of Manchester United’s 1990 Fa cup final against Crystal Palace. Alex came close to leaving in a season that ended with Lee Martin winner against Palace. The significance of his first trophy in the FA cup replay cannot be overstated.
These quotes and the sentiment are echoed ahead of another pivotal moment in the Fa Cup. This Saturday Manchester United again find themselves just one step away from FA cup glory, this time around, with Eric Ten Hag at the helm. United know that the final defeat at the hands of arch rivals City would mean that there would be no European football for the Red Devils for only the 2nd time since the early 1980’s. United once again had a disappointing season finishing 8th in the table which is their lowest since 1989-1990 season. This has put Ten Hag’s position in scrutiny and he would be desperate to turn the things in his favor and a win in the final on Sunday would definitely help his cause.
Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City would look to do a domestic double by sealing the Fa cup in front of a sold out crowd at Wembley. City will go into the showpiece final as favorites as there was a 31 point gap between the two teams in the league. Ten Hag, who won the Carabao Cup in his first season at Old Trafford said “I came here to win trophies, It’s all about winning trophies and we’ve got an opportunity to win two trophies in two seasons.”
City did a league double over United this season and have won six out of past seven meetings against their neighbors.
Manchester United To Sack Ten Hag After Fa Cup Final
Reports have suggested that even if Manchester United come out on top at Wembley this Saturday, it would still not be enough be save Ten Hag’s job. This decision has been taken after United’s dismal performance in the league his season. This exit would provoke the memories on Louis Van Gaal’s departure who won the Fa cup in 2016 and was sacked immediately after. Ten Hag’s exit speculations were fueled after the British billionaire Jim Ratcliffe took care of football operations at Old Trafford after taking the minority stakes of the club. Despite the exit rumors, United have denied any such news and say that a full review would take place after this Saturday’s clash at Wembley. United have be linked with top names like Mauricio Pochettino who recently left Chelsea, England’s boss Gary Southgate and Kieran McKenna of Ipswich Town.
Saturday’s marquee clash at Wembley would mean a shot at silverware and a potential Europa league qualification for the Red Devils. The 2024 FA Cup final will take place today, 3pm local time from Wembley Stadium in London.
Mohd Faisal Hakak is a sports author from Kashmir. He likes to keep tabs on the sporting world with a keen interest in football, motorsports, NBA, and other marquee sports. He is a science graduate from Islamia College Srinagar.
