Revealed: Erik ten Hag already knows Man Utd sack fate as FA Cup final arrives too late to save him

The Dutchman is preparing for the FA Cup final against Manchester City amid a torrent of stories that he is about to be sacked by United after overseeing the club's worst season in the Premier League era. Fanning the flames, former footballer and pundit Jan Age Fjortoft has revealed that he was informed of the decision by United's minority owners INEOS three weeks ago, between the 4-0 thrashing by Palace and the 1-0 home defeat by Arsenal.

United have reportedly already begun the search for Ten Hag's successor. The club's incoming CEO Omar Berrada is said to have met with Ipswich boss Kieran McKenna while it is being reported in Germany that Thomas Tuchel rejected the chance to remain at Bayern Munich in order to take over at United.

“To think that ONE game at Wembley is decisive for Ten Hag’s future is lack of respect and knowledge for how INEOS works,” Fjortoft wrote on X. “Stay or go? Decided weeks ago. I understand he was told the week before the Arsenal game. Was always a gamble to think that this could be a secret till after the FA Cup final."

Ten Hag has claimed that he is planning for next season and said he had already spoken to INEOS about his future but did not need assurances. He intends to go on holiday immediately after the cup final.

Ten Hag's situation is reminiscent of when news that Louis van Gaal was going to be sacked by United leaked during the 2016 FA Cup final against Crystal Palace. The manager, who led the Red Devils to a first trophy in six years when they won the Carabao Cup, will be hoping to end his topsy-turvy reign on a high by staging a shock against Premier League winners City.