Image Credits: Getty Images
Manchester United emerged victorious in what was one of the greatest F.A Cup matches of all time. 2 goals in the final four minutes ensured it was United marching on to Wembley for a semi-final date with Coventry City.
That euphoric win will do a lot of good to Erik ten Hag and his boys.
This one upturn in form however will not be enough to convince Sir Jim Ratcliffe to keep ten Hag after the summer.
It is expected that Ratcliffe will be judging ten Hag between now and the end of the season, and this one win, however monumental, may not be enough to convince him.
This win, however massive, cannot mask the huge mess that has been this season.
Manchester United are currently languishing in sixth place, 9 points away from the top four, and were disappointedly last in a Champions League group that included miniatures like FC Copenhagen.
United’s problems this season have far superseded Erik ten Hag, and only Champions League qualification could convince the new boss to keep him at the helm longer.
United have managed only 39 goals in the league this term, 31 fewer than league leaders Arsenal and 20 shy of Spurs in fifth. Only five teams have scored less, and four of them are in the bottom five.
Should Champions League qualification be decided on goal difference, which is an outright Hail Mary, United would appear to have no chance with a goal difference of zero, 17 worse than Spurs and 18 behind Villa.
What happens between now and the end of the season will be make or break for ten Hag.
An F.A cup win and Champions League qualification will well be an overachievement after all the ups and downs this season – more downs than ups in fairness.
I am of the opinion Sir Jim should retain Erik ten Hag and back him properly in the summer. He still is an elite manager and with the proper support and squad, he just may be the right man to take us back to glory.
