Former Manchester United youth team player Robbie Savage thinks that Erik ten Hag’s FA Cup victory has earned him more time in the job.
Ten Hag has been under pressure at Old Trafford after a dispiriting second season saw him finish eighth in the league.
However United put on a superb display on Saturday beating Manchester City 2-1 to clinch the FA Cup, meaning United have won silverware in both of the Dutchman’s seasons at the club.
Given the positive end to the season, Savage told Planet Sport Bet that he would keep Ten Hag in place.
He said: “Over the past two seasons, Erik ten Hag has won two trophies with Manchester United whilst Liverpool and Arsenal have just one between them. Then you have the argument over who had the better season this year. Ange Postecoglou and Mikel Arteta both won nothing, whilst Ten Hag won the FA Cup against City. The difference is, people talk about the brand of football and philosophy and United don’t have that, whilst Postecoglou and Arteta do.
“Erik ten Hag might work well with a structure above him now. Whilst part of me does know that finishing eighth in the Premier League with a negative goal difference is unacceptable, part of me also sees the fact they beat Liverpool and City on the way to winning the FA Cup this year.
“If I was the director of football at United right now, I’d give Ten Hag until at least Christmas next season. He overachieved by finishing third in his first season and this season they’ve underachieved. The game against City goes to show that it’s worth seeing what he can do if he has his strongest team available, because they’ve had so many injuries this season. I’d change my mind about him based on that performance and give him until Christmas next year with a structure above him that helps him with recruitment.”
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