The circumstances of Erik ten Hag and Alex Ferguson’s careers at Manchester United might not be exactly the same, but there are certain parallels. In 1990, Ferguson clung onto his position as manager by securing the FA Cup, a feat that failed to save Louis van Gaal in 2016, despite his on-field celebrations. However, the different outcomes can’t just be chalked up to the declining importance of the FA Cup.
In 2024, it may have seemed odd to consider if an FA Cup victory might help Ten Hag retain his job, but the season had been an unexpected rollercoaster ride for Manchester United. At least the decision had already been made, preventing the kind of humiliation that Van Gaal experienced.
Ferguson had survived a perilous route to the final, with every match away from Old Trafford, only one against a top-league club, and each round was a test that had to be passed. The trials, including the unforgettable whistle blown from the crowd at Hereford and a nail-biter against Oldham, made the season feel like an epic adventure, sparking a deep emotional investment from the fans.
In contrast, Van Gaal’s path to the cup was more mundane. Despite Martial’s crucial goal at the sixth round against West Ham and his injury-time semi-final winner, the thrill and passion elicited by Ferguson’s 1989-90 season was missing, mainly due to the fans’ disillusionment with Van Gaal’s style of play.
Looking back, the 1990 FA Cup victory prefigured much of United’s future under Ferguson. The gruelling campaign demonstrated his ability to instil mental and physical resilience into his team, enabling them to conjure up late equalisers and salvage challenging situations.
There is no disputing that the prestige of the FA Cup has declined over time. Faced with the threat of extinction, the tournament appears to be given a reluctant space amidst more financially beneficial friendlies hosted in nascent markets, by an elite that values them over the world’s most historic knockout competition. Considering Ten Hag’s two-year tenure and a significant body of work as evidence, it would have been absurd to hinge his future on a single match’s outcome, a call by the referee, or a penalty shoot-out.
Factors including both on-field performance and ineffective transfers under his direct control have had negligible positive effects. Nevertheless, United’s unexpected journey to the finals has carried a special aura around it. Despite the struggle they faced against lower-division teams, it echoed the time around 1989-90.
Although giving up a two-goal advantage against Newport and a three-goal lead against Coventry isn’t a recommended long-term strategy, it made those matches unforgettable. In risking disgrace, United imbued these games with a unique significance that wouldn’t have come from an unchallenged victory (unlike City who, due to their effortless victories, somehow appear to undervalue their wins).
The 1990 parallels become more apparent with a 1-0 away victory at Forest, and Robins’ appearance in the semi-finals. However, even the 1989-90 season didn’t witness anything as extraordinary as the 4-3 quarter-final triumph over Liverpool, which concluded with Bruno Fernandes and Antony playing as centre and left back respectively. Despite it seeming highly unlikely that United could outdo an unyielding City in the final, most of this Cup run has been remarkably surprising. Should euphoria and implausibility align, perhaps we might see Ten Hag, battle-hardened after a tough season, leading United into the future.
Accusations from individuals who regard a football manager as some sort of wizard, capable of eliciting impressive performances from his team via psychological insights and a knack for tilting destiny in his favour, might have perceived this scenario. On the contrary, more pragmatic critics would highlight this as the inferior season of United’s in the Premier League (according to their position) and the numerous inexplicable comments from Ten Hag that have considerably undermined his reputation.
In terms of time lost due to injuries, United has indisputably suffered the most of any club this season, earning Ten Hag some sympathy, especially when considering how frequently he has had to switch his central defenders. This, however, does not justify why his team frequently reveals a glaring gap in midfield as half the team presses whereas the others linger deep. It fails to elaborate why they allowed 660 attempts this season, a figure only superseded by Sheffield United, the Premier League record holders for goals against. The mystery of a negative goal difference or mere five victories by more than one goal also remains unresolved. This, coupled with their unconvincing victories, paints a dismal picture.
Ten Hag’s public assertions have further compounded his problems. His audacious claims – unfazed by conceding goals, denouncing sceptical media coverage of the collapse against Coventry as ‘outrageous,’ and lambasting criticism of the 4-0 loss to Crystal Palace as the ignorant ramblings of those ignorant of football or incapable of leading a team – have merely made him appear delusional.
Whilst it is common for managers to make ridiculous remarks under stress, all are expected to portray an enhanced version of reality to the public. But Ten Hag’s interpretation was so far removed from anything reflecting reality that it led to a complete erosion of his credibility. Considering how management is essentially a vast con, convincing players that a strategy will catapult them to greater success, a tarnished reputation is incredibly challenging to restore for any manager.
Ten Hag’s position deteriorated even more after a period when it looked like a shortage of potential replacements might salvage his job. Suddenly, the availability of Mauricio Pochettino and Thomas Tuchel, both previously of interest to United, could further challenge his tenure. Although a Cup victory might have brewed sentimental calls for Ten Hag to stay, and a win over City might have projected an mysterious aura of leadership, these seem unlikely to mend his tarnished reputation. Despite an illustrious first season, this term has dealt a severe blow to Ten Hag’s status. It appears challenging for him to recover, irrespective of a Cup triumph. — Guardian