Erik ten Hag: Manchester United boss hints at possibility of staying at Old Trafford next season | Football News

Eric ten Hag revealed he has held talks with Manchester United bosses over his future and hinted at the possibility of staying at the club, saying: “We are preparing for next season”.

The Dutchman has guided United to eighth place in the Premier League this season, their lowest ever finish, and his future at Old Trafford is under serious threat.

United will miss out on European football next season if they lose to Manchester City in Saturday’s FA Cup final. This will be the second time since the 1989/90 season that United have failed to qualify for European competition.

There are reports that not even a win against Manchester City at Wembley could save Ten Hag’s job, but sky sports news It is understood United will not decide on his future until after the FA Cup final.

Ten Hag, who won the Carabao Cup final last season, will still lead United into Saturday’s Wembley final but was asked if he planned to hold talks over his future next week.

He replied: “No, we already do that. On Sunday, I go on vacation. I think I deserve it.”

Asked if he had been guaranteed that he would remain in charge at Old Trafford next season, Ten Hag subsequently said: “No need. We will fight for next season.”

Ten Hag’s future is the first major decision that new United investors Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS sporting director Dave Brailsford have to make since the £1.2bn investment was completed in December.

sky sports news Reports emerged this week that United were keen to sign deals with Brentford boss Thomas Frank, former Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino and Ipswich Town’s Kieran McCann if Ten Hague left the club. Have a conversation.

It was also revealed that Manchester United Have spoken to McKenna’s representatives New CEO Omar Berrada and technical director Jason Wilcox were appointed last week.

Asked if Ratcliffe and Brailsford wished him good luck ahead of the FA Cup final, Ten Hag said: “Of course. We’re in this together. They’ve been part of this club since January and they Hopefully we win trophies.

“The club hasn’t won so many trophies in the last 10 years so now we have a second chance in two years. It’s a great opportunity to win another trophy.”

Ten Hag has once again highlighted Manchester United’s injury misfortune to explain why they haven’t finished higher in the Premier League.

according to Premier League injury statusTen Hag’s side have suffered 45 separate injuries in the 2023/24 league season, the most of any top-flight club, while they also have 21 injured players, second only to Tottenham Hotspur (22 people).

Manchester United players have also missed 1,620 days due to injury this season, sixth among Premier League clubs.

Asked what United could achieve if he remained as manager next season, Hague replied: “We are definitely in contention to finish in the top four.

“But in the Premier League there are a lot of teams fighting for the top four at the moment. But we are definitely one of them.”

“Furthermore, we would have [top four] This season – if players can play. But that’s the biggest thing that has to change, players being available throughout the season.

Ten Female Ghosts: Three finals in two years, not bad

Saturday will be Hag’s second FA Cup final as United manager, having guided them to Wembley this time last year only for Manchester City to beat them 2-1.

United have reached Wembley three times in two years since the Dutchman took over, with Ten Hag keen to defend his domestic cup record at the club as they go through a “transition period”.

“I think it’s true that this club is in a transition period,” Ten Hag said.

“We have promoted a lot of players to a higher level – some young players have also come into the team and become internationals, and have been selected for the Copa America and the European Cup, which is very good.

“We want to improve the team, we want to build a team for the future and at the same time we want to win trophies. On Saturday we have another chance to win a big trophy. This is the third final in two years.” I’d say that’s not bad.

“A lot of people forget this.

Ten Hag was also asked what he could achieve if he could strengthen the team’s young core with a few transfers in the summer.

“We are definitely competitive for the top four,” he said. “But in the Premier League at the moment there are a lot of teams fighting for the top four.

“But we will definitely be there. And we will be there this season if players are able to play. But that’s the biggest thing that has to change, players are available throughout the season.”

“We performed better than Manchester City in last year’s FA Cup final”

Ten Hag also insisted that Guardiola’s Manchester United side performed better than Manchester City in last year’s FA Cup final, despite Guardiola’s side lifting the trophy.

United fell behind after 12 seconds thanks to Ilkay Gundogan’s quick start and Bruno Fernandes equalized from the penalty spot after a controversial call, but Gundogan scored the winning goal in the second half.

“You can’t change it from last season, but when we analyzed that game, we were better than them,” Ten Hag said.

“I have some data where we were better than them in almost every situation – not in possession, they were much better in possession, they had more possession. But all the other facts, like going into the end One-third, shot creation on target, every stat we were better than them.

“We will have to suffer on Saturday and make sacrifices when we lose possession because they are good at it. We have to fight and organize our defence, and if we can do that we have a chance. We know their The standard of competition is very high.

“We have to reach these levels. We want to be the best. That’s our goal.”