Manchester United icon Rio Ferdinand has speculated that manager Erik ten Hag may face dismissal even if he leads the team to an unexpected FA Cup triumph at the end of the month.
Despite Manchester United ending their Premier League campaign on a high note with a 2-0 victory over Brighton, Ten Hag’s position remains precarious after a turbulent season. The team has suffered 19 defeats across all competitions, finished eighth in the league, and is likely to miss out on European football for the first time since 2015 unless they secure a win against Manchester City in the FA Cup final.
Ferdinand expressed his doubts about Ten Hag’s future during a discussion on his FIVE YouTube channel, suggesting that the club’s co-owners, Jim Ratcliffe’s INEOS, might decide to terminate Ten Hag’s tenure following the FA Cup final, regardless of the result.
“Win or lose, I don’t think Ten Hag will be there next season,” Ferdinand commented. “I believe the club will look elsewhere. I don’t think winning the FA Cup changes anything in the eyes of INEOS. This is just my assumption, I haven’t spoken to anyone there.”
This prediction underscores the pressures and high stakes associated with managing a club of Manchester United’s stature, where success is often measured in trophies and consistent top-tier performance.
