“His job as manager depends on the FA match against Manchester City and that’s all there is to it. This is his final chance.” Tension rises as Sir Jim Ratcliffe gives Erik Ten Hag conditions to stay at Manchester United as he unintentionally reveals two hints about Erik ten Hag’s job decision.

The parallels between Louis van Gaal in 2016 and Erik ten Hag in 2024 are striking.

Leading up to the FA Cup final, there has been poor football, disappointing results, and numerous headlines linking other managers to the top job at Old Trafford.

Manchester United remained silent before sacking Van Gaal, and their silence has been similarly telling in the weeks before this season’s FA Cup final against Manchester City.

Although it wouldn’t have taken much for Sir Jim Ratcliffe to publicly endorse Ten Hag and confirm he will stay next season, there’s been silence instead, suggesting a change is being considered.

Van Gaal didn’t receive backing from United before the 2016 FA Cup final, and reports of his impending sacking were rampant—and ultimately correct.

It would be surprising if a change hadn’t been considered. United have significantly regressed this season, exiting Europe before Christmas and finishing eighth in the Premier League, with Ten Hag overseeing a largely joyless campaign.

The FA Cup final is a chance to salvage something from a bleak season, but INEOS, savvy operators, won’t base their decision on one game. There are months of evidence, and it doesn’t look good for Ten Hag, who had an excellent first year but has seen new lows this term.

INEOS managed to keep their plan for Ten Hag under wraps, but recent days have revealed contact with Kieran McKenna’s representatives.

McKenna is seen as one of football’s most promising young coaches, achieving successive promotions with Ipswich and leading them to the Premier League in under three years.

The 37-year-old was appointed United’s Under-18 manager in 2016 and promoted to first-team coaching staff by Jose Mourinho. He was later retained by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and helped transition to interim manager Ralf Rangnick before joining Ipswich.

It’s understood McKenna is open to taking the United job but is also being watched by Brighton and Chelsea, who are looking for new managers.

News of United’s interest in McKenna emerging just days before the FA Cup final is an unwelcome distraction ahead of the biggest game of the season, but it seems INEOS felt compelled to act after Mauricio Pochettino’s departure from Chelsea.

The managerial merry-go-round has begun ahead of the summer transfer window, and United were forced to act due to Brighton and Chelsea’s interest in McKenna.

Whether the interest in McKenna develops remains to be seen, but the implication is clear: you don’t hold talks with another manager if you’re not considering sacking Ten Hag.

Unfortunately, Ten Hag has seemed like a dead man walking for some time now. United’s lack of public support for him, combined with talks with another manager, indicates his exit.

Some fans want Ten Hag to be sacked, while others want him to stay. Regardless of their stance on his future, all fans will support United in the FA Cup final on Saturday.

Just like before the 2016 FA Cup final, it’s disheartening to see heavy reports linking United with another manager in the days leading up to the fixture. The industry is ruthless, and it seems inevitable that a decision will be made soon after the game.

There’s regret over how Van Gaal was sacked, and Ten Hag deserves a more dignified farewell if/when his tenure ends.