ERIK TEN HAG believes “common sense” will keep him in a job beyond this season.
The under-pressure Manchester United boss is facing the same scenario as his fellow Dutchman Louis van Gaal where he could win the FA Cup at the end of the season and still get the boot due to his league campaign.
But Ten Hag believes that new part-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe will understand how injuries have impacted his season and that will be enough to keep him at Old Trafford next season.
Ten Hag said: “I think they have common sense, they seen when you have 32 different backlines, when you lose eight centre backs, when we don’t have a left full back they know that will have a negative impact on results.
“But we are still fighting and we have a huge FA Cup final, we are still there, it can be a highlight of the season but we know why we are underperforming, I am a realistic person, I see this, I analyse and no team will perform with these injuries.”
While Ten Hag is hopeful common sense will prevail there has still been no public word of support for the beleaguered boss, who looks set to be the fifth permanent manager in 11 years to lose his job at United.
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Asked why Ratcliffe has not come out in support, Ten Hag said it was a question for the owners.
He said: “This question you have to make to the owners, not to me.
“I don’t care if they do or they don’t, I’m working on improving and developing my team, that is my job here.”
United face Arsenal on Sunday with real fears they could get a drubbing following Monday’s 4-0 defeat to Crystal Palace.
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Ten Hag is hopeful of having Bruno Fernandes and Scott McTominay back fit.
Long term absentee Lisandro Martinez has also been pushing to play on Sunday but Ten Hag believes he is not quite ready.
He said: “He is desperate to play, he misses it so much and the team misses him.
“But he has had three injuries across the season and now he is almost there.
“I will never gamble with a player, never. It’s about them, their futures.”
Pundits’ verdict on Ten Hag’s future
Where do the pundits stand on Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United future?
Michael Owen – He has to go
“He cannot, simply cannot, manage this team next season. He’s not good enough.”
Teddy Sheringham – Might stay if he wins Cup but should go
“If United win the FA Cup, he could stay. But, for me, changes are needed and United need to get it done sooner than later.”
Jamie Carragher – Sacked
“I don’t see how Erik ten Hag stays. It’s just performance after performance.”
Gary Neville – Stay if he wins the FA Cup
“To sack a manager who’s won two trophies in his first two seasons at the club I think would be extreme.”
Louis Saha – On the fence
“I don’t see it as clearly but they need changes from the players but they need changes from him as well.”
Alan Shearer – Sacked
“I believe the future of the Man Utd manager is already determined. Even if they win the FA Cup I think he’s gone.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
