Erik ten Hag WILL be sacked by Man United regardless of whether his side ‘win or lose’ Saturday’s FA Cup Final, says Rio Ferdinand, as pundit lambasts squad’s lack of identity

Rio Ferdinand believes Erik ten Hag is likely to leave Manchester United regardless of the outcome of Saturday’s FA Cup final after a turbulent season at Old Trafford.

The Red Devils ended their Premier League season with a 2–0 win against Brighton, but Sunday’s result was not enough to save the club from their lowest ever Premier League finish.

Finishing the season eighth in the table means Man United will be without European football next season if they fail to get around crosstown rivals Manchester City at Wembley.

A question mark looms over Ten Hag’s tenure after a chaotic 2023/24 season that saw his injury-ravaged side eliminated from the Champions League after the group stages and suffer a number of high-profile defeats.

While a win on Saturday could end Man United’s season on an emphatic high, the former Man United man admitted it may not be enough to see the Dutchman through to a third season in the dugout.

The Red Devils ended their Premier League season on a high with a 2-0 win over Brighton

But Rio Ferdinand was ultimately still concerned about Man United’s 2023/24 season as a whole

“The more I think about it, win or lose, I don’t think Ten Hag will be there next season,” Ferdinand shared on his podcast FIVE.

‘I’m not saying this is what I want, I’m just saying what I think will happen, and I believe the club will look elsewhere, I think.

‘I don’t think winning the FA Cup will change anything in the eyes of INEOS. I haven’t spoken to anyone there, this is just an assumption, this is what I think.’

The pundit’s reasoning, he stressed, came from performances throughout the season, even despite compensation for Man United’s long-term injury crisis.

“Apart from the injuries, the team’s performance has been so poor,” Ferdinand continued. “Most teams have had injuries, maybe not to the same extent as Man United.

“I keep saying this, I sound like a broken record: the level of performance may drop, but your football style has to be there to identify you. It’s not.

United’s depleted squad has been improved by the return of defender Lisandro Martinez

‘I don’t know what we are. I don’t know who we are. Who are we as a team? What are we?’

Ten Hag has argued in recent weeks that it would make no sense to halt his side’s progress and interrupt his time at the club, claiming he is the right man to lead Man United further.

“I have no doubt about that,” Ten Hag said earlier this month after the defeat against Arsenal at Old Trafford.

‘As a human being and in my experience, this will always happen once every three months if you are not in the right position.

“But usually this team has the right spirit and they implement the rules and principles of the game even if they have to adapt to their positions.”

The manager also issued an impassioned pre-season rallying cry on the Old Trafford pitch after beating Newcastle in their penultimate Premier League match last week, saying he and his players would offer ‘everything’ to help the FA Cup to win. and take it to Old Trafford’.

Ten Hag gave a passionate battle cry to the supporters during Man United’s final home game this season

Sir Jim Ratcliffe (right) is said to have considered alternative candidates for the role

But despite his conviction, Ten Hag’s future is not yet assured. United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his INEOS team are said to be talking to potential alternatives.

Reports emerged last week that Man United’s hierarchy had made contact with Ipswich manager Kieran McKenna, who has led the Tractor Boys to Premier League promotion this season.

Big names in management such as Gareth Southgate and Thomas Tuchel have also been heavily linked with a move to succeed the Dutchman.