Erik ten Hag has aimed a pointed dig at Manchester United’s homeowners by saying that in the event that they don’t need him as their supervisor, he’ll win trophies for an additional membership.
Ten Hag lifted his second piece of silverware in as many seasons at Previous Trafford because of United’s shock 2-1 win over Manchester Metropolis within the FA Cup ultimate on Saturday.
– Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, extra (U.S.)
The Dutchman mentioned he’s nonetheless in the dead of night about whether or not he’ll stay supervisor subsequent season, however insisted he’ll proceed to win trophies — whether or not he is at United or elsewhere.
“Two trophies in two years is just not unhealthy, three finals in two years is just not unhealthy,” Ten Hag instructed a postmatch information convention Saturday.
“If they do not need me, then I’m going elsewhere to win trophies as a result of that’s what I do.”
Ten Hag’s future is doubtful following a disappointing eighth-place end within the Premier League.
New co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has refused to supply his public backing, and sources instructed ESPN that membership chiefs have sounded out potential candidates — together with Thomas Tuchel, Mauricio Pochettino, Kieran McKenna and Thomas Frank — in case they resolve to make a change.
Ten Hag, nevertheless, insisted he has the assist of Ratcliffe and his Ineos staff, led by director of sport Sir Dave Brailsford.
“That’s what they at all times inform me,” he mentioned. “What number of instances do I’ve to inform you? Each time it’s the similar query. Do I’ve to repeat myself 10, 15, 20 instances?
“They do not have to inform me each week in the event that they inform me so typically. I heard it many instances.”
Ten Hag was additionally requested whether or not he felt undermined by United holding casual talks with representatives of potential replacements earlier than issuing a powerful defence of his reign.
“I do not know if they’ve completed this, I am unable to reply this query,” he mentioned. “I do not know. Possibly you could have sources. I haven’t got them.
“I’m in a undertaking and we’re precisely the place we wish to be, we’re developing a staff for the longer term. After I took over we had been in a large number. The staff is creating, the staff is profitable and the staff performs to an identification, however you want the gamers to be accessible and a powerful squad, particularly if you play in England and Europe.
“There’s plenty of work to do however we now have worth within the squad, excessive potentials. The staff is progressing and we’re profitable trophies.”
United captain Bruno Fernandes mentioned the gamers had been conscious of the hypothesis over Ten Hag’s future however mentioned it was not the gamers’ place to weigh in on what the board ought to do.
In a postmatch interview with ESPN, Fernandes mentioned: “That [speculation] at all times reaches us, these days it is inconceivable. If it does not attain 25 gamers, it reaches quantity 26 and he finally ends up passing the message on.
“No one was nervous about that. At this time we had an important alternative to win an FA Cup, one thing that is essential within the UK. The main focus was on the ultimate, no person was nervous about that.
“It is lower than us to make choices, together with whether or not or not we keep, it is as much as the membership to make these choices. That is why we now have to do our greatest on the pitch, now benefit from the holidays, and whoever is within the nationwide groups can do their greatest.”
Fernandes added that United’s poor season within the Premier League was not absolved by the FA Cup victory.
When requested Saturday’s win saved their season, he mentioned: “No, it saves the FA Cup. Within the Premier League we wished to do higher, to do extra, in European competitions too, however within the FA Cup we managed to succeed and we’re very blissful.”