Gary Lineker’s awkward post-match interview with Erik ten Hag appeared to leave the Manchester United manager furious following his side’s FA Cup final victory.
On Friday, reports emerged that Ten Hag was on the brink of being sacked, with The Guardian stating that Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his leadership group ‘will part company with the Dutchman, even if his side won the FA Cup.’
United would go on to claim a hard-fought 2-1 victory against Manchester City at Wembley, with Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo both scoring in the first half to leave Pep Guardiola‘s league champions stunned.
Ten Hag later joined Lineker, Alan Shearer, Wayne Rooney and Micah Richards to discuss the game on BBC‘s coverage of the final. Lineker had pressed him on the rumous before concluding the interview smiling and saying: ‘We hope to see you next season!’
The Dutchman looked less than impressed by the comment from the Match of the Day presenter, with Lineker having also put him on the spot over his future at the club.
Gary Lineker appeared to infuriate Erik ten Hag in an awkward exchange after the FA Cup final
Lineker told Ten Hag ‘we hope to see you next year’, with the United boss less than impressed
The former England striker said: ‘I can sense your frustration, and your frustration might be that this could conceivably be your last game. Do you know?’
‘I don’t know,’ Ten Hag replied. ‘The only thing I’m doing is preparing my team, and developing my team. Progressing my team and individual players.
‘Because this is a project for me. When I came in I can say it was a mess. Now we are better. We are by far not where we want to be.’
BBC pundit Alan Shearer also attracted criticism for his role in the pitchside interview, with the Newcastle legend seemingly questioning the job Ten Hag has done this season.
He said: ‘You had a team out there today who showed a great atttitude, who showed a great ability, who have won every single tackle.
‘That hasn’t always been the case this season though has it? So you can undestand why we do criticsie you sometimes.
‘If you had that every week then you wouldn’t have finished in eighth … today was unbelievable.’
Ten Hag replied: ‘No, but we didn’t have the players. But you are right, and we have seen the same things. There was definitely not always good football but all the time we had to make comprosimes.
‘I’m now two years here, and probably maybe three or four times we had the full squad on board. Also today, some massive players like Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw and Casemiro were not on board.’
Despite a turbulent start to life at Man United, Ten Hag has now won two major honours in the two seasons he has been at the club.
Their victory today will also see Man United secure a berth in the Europa League next season.
‘Football is about winning trophies,’ the Dutchman added. ‘I want to play the best football, dynamic, attacking football but in the end, you have to win games and trophies,’ Ten Hag added.
‘That’s the mentality we brought in. This was our one opportunity and we did it. I’m very proud of the players and staff.’
Questions have been mounting over Erik ten Hag’s future as Man United boss, with Lineker (left) putting the Dutchman on the spot over his future at the club in an awkward interview
BBC pundit Alan Shearer also attracted criticism for his role in the pitchside interview
Reports emerged on Friday that United would fire Ten Hag (right) even if he won the FA Cup
Despite their indifferent season, United defeated rivals City 2-1 in the final to win the trophy
United had come into the game against City as second favourites, but they left their rivals stunned in the first half.
Garnacho capitalised on a defensive error between Stefan Ortega and Josko Gvardiol to put the Red Devils 1-0 up after 30 minutes.
A moment of magic from Fernandes saw him pick out Mainoo on the left side of the penalty area, with the 19-year-old star curling the ball into the back of the net.
City came back in the second half to attack United, with Jeremy Doku finding the back of the net in the 87th minute. But it was too little too late for the Premier League champions.
‘All compliments to the team,’ Ten Hag added. ‘We played very good to our identity. Very strong. You have seen how we can play when we have the players on board. Some were not even match fit but the performance was very good.’
Ten Hag is on the brink of being sacked, but he has now won two major honours with United
Garnacho put the Red Devils 1-0 up after 30 minutes taking advantage of a defensive mix-up
Mainoo took the second shortly afterwards, capitalising on a pass from Bruno Fernandes
Ten Hag was also questioned on whether criticism levelled at United over the season had been too much. United have endured a torrid season, finishing eighth in the Premier League – their lowest league finish since the 1989-90 season.
‘I think so,’ Ten Hag said. ‘The team. Me as well. It was not right. But we didn’t have the players.
‘We have seen the same things, not always good football – definitely not – but we had to make compromises all the time and then you can’t play the football you want to play.
‘I had maybe three or four times in two years we had the full squad available. Even today we were missing massive players like Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw and Casemiro.’