"As you know, this season has not been easy, but one thing has not changed, and that is your support for the team. The season isn't over yet, we're going to Brighton to get the three points and then we'll be on the march to Wembley! I promise you that the players will do everything in their power to win the trophy and bring it back to Old Trafford! We're sure you'll be there to support us – thank you! You're the best fans in the world. ”
Without looking at the table, Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag's impassioned speech at Old Trafford for a minute after the game would give the illusion that he had won an important trophy for the Red Devils. Just like 14 years ago, Jose Mourinho used Inter's treble to "demonstrate" Julius Caesar's famous quote "Veni, vidi, vici" to Real Madrid fans at the Bernabeu Stadium......
But Ten Hag actually won an ordinary Premier League game. Even against Newcastle United in front of them, United are still in 8th place in the table. To avoid the humiliation of missing out on European competition for the second time in 10 years, Ten Hag will have to count on Sunday's finale rivals to continue to roll over; Or in the FA Cup final, win the "noisy neighbours" who may have won the Premier League four times in a row. Of course, if this is Ten Hag's last home game as Manchester United manager, at least he will win that farewell.
With a 3-2 win over Newcastle United, Ten Hag completed the Red Devils' closed loop of "losing - losing again - managerial crisis - winning". The Manchester Evening News scored eight points for Ten Hag after the game, with Diallo for his pass, Fernandes for his excellent performance and Amrabat for his rare praise. The Daily Mail lamented: If B Fee and Manchester United can maintain this level of performance throughout the season, why should they fight for European qualification at the last home of the season? Compared with the previous weeks, the performance of the whole team has improved, especially the performance of newcomers such as Diallo and Menu, which gives Manchester United some hope.
United have lost 19 games in all competitions this season (the most since 1977/78) and 14 in the Premier League, the most in a single Premier League season. Thankfully, goals from Menou, Diano and Hojlund saved face for the Red Devils and Ten Hag, and the Dutchman did not allow United to lose a record 10th home game of the season. The total number of shots on goal was 38, with five goals and a controversial penalty that angered the Magpies and was not reminded of the VAR. Raphael Varane, who had already announced his departure after the season, got the best chance to say goodbye. However, B Fee, who has been rumored to be in the Saudi league, seems to have a meaning: "If Manchester United no longer need me, then I can leave." ”
Ten Hag was clearly more excited than the sad Varane. A minute after the "Muslim tour" in the centre of the Theatre of Dreams, the Dutch coach gave an impassioned "competition" speech to the crowd, especially Sir Ratcliffe in the box. It is ironic that a coach who won the last home game of the season would have to make an effort to his new boss to keep his position. As well as thanking all the fans, Ten Hag stressed that the United season is not over yet and that he and his team will try to bring the FA Cup back from Wembley Stadium. Of course, the subtext is also to use the trophy as the most important weight to continue to manage Manchester United.
Newcastle United and Manchester United are both on the road on Sunday, and the Reds only need to take a point above the Magpies to qualify for next season's UEFA Europa League in at least seventh place. But even with a seventh-place finish, United are joint-worst in the English top flight since 1989/90 (tied with David Moyes' 2013/14). Away at Brighton on Sunday, United (57 points) will also have to avoid their worst season points since 1990/91 (59). Compared to last season's across-the-board drop from points (75 points) to third place, and all of these terrible records, Ten Hag's chances of being sacked have increased.
The Guardian has revealed before the game that Sir Ratcliffe is in no hurry to make a decision and will not complete his assessment of Ten Hag until after the FA Cup final. Winning the final home game of the season against Ten Hag will add some assessment points, but the decisive weight will be the trophy. After all, if he can win trophies for Manchester United in the trough for two consecutive seasons, Ten Hag will also have more confidence to stay. But United are also ready for a change of manager, with former United assistant coach McKenna, who has just led Ipswich to promotion, Brentford boss Frank, former Chelsea boss Graham Potter and England men's manager Gareth Southgate among the new managerial candidates.
Ten Hag grabbed a lifeline in his last game at Old Trafford this season, and will he be the lucky one at Wembley next week?