'You have no sense of reality' - Erik ten Hag blasts unrealistic expectations at Man Utd as he admits season has been 'crap' amid sack rumours

The United boss was defiant as he defended his time at the club and argued that he had been held to unrealistic expectations. Ten Hag is widely expected to be sacked following the final, regardless of whether he is victorious or not, and does not appear to be going quietly. The Dutchman also suggests that his successor will suffer the same fate unless the club faces reality.

Speaking to Voetbal International, the United boss said: “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.

“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 finished third. Well, then you have no sense of reality. Other clubs had a much better squad.”

Ten Hag is keen to point to the fact that the owners had initially offered him support. “They said they want to change everything and that they want to rebuild WITH me. This is what they told me directly,” he explained.

However, with the club recording its worst-ever Premier League finish this season under the Dutchman, the United board have started looking at alternative options. Despite his poor finish, Ten Hag defended a campaign that could end in silverware.

He said: “Let me be clear. It has been bad. It has been crap. But despite everything, we are going to play an FA Cup final."

Even if United beat Manchester City in the FA Cup final on Saturday, it will be too little, too late. Ten Hag will almost certainly be sacked by United and the Red Devils will be forced to undergo yet another rebuild. Former Bayern Munich and Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel has emerged as favourite to take to the dugout at Old Trafford.