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      Man Utd staff stunned by brutal cuts to FA Cup final perks as club saves cash ‘for returning to top of world football’

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      MANCHESTER UNITED staff are “disgruntled” at new owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s decision to cut their FA Cup final perks.The Red Devils will play a second successive FA Cup final on May 25 in a repeat of last year’s showpiece against Manchester City – where Pep Guardiola’s men claimed a 2-1 win.Sir Jim Ratcliffe has made some brutal decisions around staff perksCredit: PAManchester United and Manchester City will play a second successive FA Cup final on May 25Credit: AlamyIn the past, Man Utd have given tickets to all of their 1,100 staff members, while senior staff and directors were able to take friends and family.Travel to and from the stadium, pre-match food, a post-match party and hotel accommodation were also paid for by the club.But The Times have now revealed an email has been sent to all staff after new protocols were established by co-owners Ineos, headed up by British billionaire Ratcliffe.Staff were told they will only receive one ticket for the game, while they will also have to pay £20 for coach travel to and from Wembley on the day of the match.READ MORE ON MAN UTDAll other perks have been scrapped.The email read: “There is still hard work ahead over the coming weeks, but I know everyone at the club is completely focused on delivering the performances and results expected of Manchester United and finding ways to win in whatever role you do.”In recognition of your ongoing support this season, we will organise a colleague trip to Wembley for the final on 25 May.”This year, the trip will be a little different. We will still provide you with a complimentary ticket to the game. However, we’ll ask you to contribute towards coach travel, and lunch will not be provided.Most read in FA CupBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS“While we appreciate this is a change from previous trips, you will all be aware of the need for us to spend the club’s money effectively, with a focus on performance and outcomes.”We hope that this year’s trip balances the opportunity for you to go to Wembley to support our players while also ensuring we can invest as much as possible into the club over the coming months to achieve our goal of returning Manchester United back to the top of English, European and world football.”Who could be Man Utd’s next manager after Ten Hag?The email also states “subsidised coaches to and from Wembley will be provided”, though there is the caveat “you will be asked to contribute £20 towards return travel or £10 one-way”.This fee will be deducted from employees’ June salaries.Reports claim this is an attempt from Ratcliffe and Ineos to ensure they stay within Uefa and the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules.The withdrawal of staff perks is said to be a “blow to morale”, but some are understood to be “supportive” of the decision.However, the criticism comes after Man Utd’s owners were praised earlier this week for agreeing to subsidise FA Cup final tickets for all Under-16 season ticket holder.Young supporters will receive a £30 discount, meaning some will be able to buy a ticket for just £5. More

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      Liverpool icon reveals two ex-England stars were best for celebrating with and says amount they drunk ‘was unbelievable’

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      LIVERPOOL cult hero Markus Babbel named Jamie Carragher and Robbie Fowler as the biggest party animals he played with.Babbel won the League Cup, FA Cup and UEFA Cup in 2001 alongside the ex-England internationals.Fowler was Liverpool’s captain and Carragher, then 23, were Liverpool’s resident raversCredit: PA:Press AssociationBabbel arrived at Anfield in the summer of 2000 as one of the most decorated players in German football history, having won the Euros in 1996.Two spells with Bayern Munich saw him win four Bundesliga titles, three German League cups and the UEFA Cup in 1996.But despite being no stranger to celebrating in style, Babbel claimed that the partying antics of Carragher and Fowler were on another level.The German hilariously revealed Carragher in particular loved to throw shapes on the dance floor.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSHe told OLBG: “Didi Hamann and Christian Ziege were really good at celebrating titles.”But the best by far were Carragher and Fowler. It was unbelievable how much they could drink.“We were top professionals, but if you win something you have to celebrate. “And oh my god Carragher was the perfect guy to celebrate with, he can sing, he can dance, he can drink. Perfect for a good party.”Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSCarragher’s drinking habits reportedly changed after a conversation with manager Gerard Houllier. On one occasion, the Liverpool boss called him over in training to ask him what’d he’d done at the weekend.Home Wins – Alex FergusonHoullier was disappointed to learn that Carragher had enjoyed a few pints with his dad, and gave him a stark warning about the path he was going down.The ex-England internationalpreviously told Sky Sports: “Houllier didn’t like our culture.”He couldn’t work out why a father would be damaging his son’s career, putting unnecessary stress on an athlete’s body.”Houllier told me if I kept living that kind of lifestyle, my career as a Premier League footballer would be over by the time I was 26.”Babbel enjoyed four years at LiverpoolCredit: Getty More

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      Premier League clubs ‘in talks to enter shock new competition’ just days after FA Cup replays scrapped

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      “RIDICULOUS” plans for a new competition after FA Cup replays were scrapped have angered fans.The Premier League are reportedly in talks over a format involving 16 of their Under-21 teams and 16 National League sides.The FA Cup will lose replays but the National League could yet face fixture congestion via another competitionCredit: PASheffield United boss Chris Wilder blasted the axing of FA Cup replaysCredit: GettySupporters blasted the suggestion – having already joined many clubs and managers from the Prem down in slating the FA for ditching FA Cup replays from next season.But the idea of a new 32-team event might be the reason the National League shocked lovers of grassroots football by BACKING the replay axe.That’s because the fifth tier could profit financially from the plan for an EFL Trophy-style competition, as revealed by the The Athletic.It would see four regional groups of eight teams, with the National League teams playing the U-21 sides at home.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSIt’s understood the host NL clubs would keep all the gate money plus half the prize money.The rest of the cash would be split between the eight NL teams not competing in the tournament, as well as all the NL North and NL South sides – meaning 56 clubs in all.The National League’s top 16 teams would take part – with the two clubs promoted from there into the EFL replaced by the two relegated sides going in the opposite direction.The Athletic’s Matt Slater posted on X: “When is fixture congestion OK? A: When it’s subsidised by the PL.”Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSAnd most fans appeared to agree with his withering reaction.One wrote: “This is ridiculous. No one wants u21 sides in the EFL trophy. The national league boss wants less fixture congestion. So why is this needed? Keep FA cup replays.”Another argued: “What a ridiculous idea. So they now want to ruin the FA Cup AND the FA Trophy? This is appalling.”Chris Wilder leads furious backlash to FA Cup replays being scrapped as fans urged to protest at ‘ridiculous’ decisionAnd a third said: “How can the National League look at this year’s fixture congestion and think the answer is more games?”However, one supporter posted: “I am no doubt in a minority but I do enjoy the more unusual competitions, including the EFL Trophy.”Cheap tickets, lots of games, get to play teams you wouldn’t normally. Random nature of it with teams not chasing promotion means unlikely teams make the last stages too.” More

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      As major competition refuses to introduce VAR, the question is: ‘Is it all worth the trouble?’

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      ONE MINUTE young fans were jumping up and down, flinging their arms wide.Next, they were in tears. And so were their dads. Not so much Sky Blues as the deepest blues.VAR denied Coventry a sensational late winner against Manchester UnitedThat’s what VAR can do. And did to Coventry City whose FA Cup final dreams were soon to be dust after the decision that Victor Torp’s goal against Manchester United a minute before the end of extra-time was an illusion.It was a toenail short of the truth, ruled VAR advisers. The line they use showed Torp was fractionally offside.The linesman hadn’t flagged, but no matter because he’s practically redundant since his job was re-named assistant referee.Soon those joyful moments of promise had become poison as United won in the penalty shoot-out and every viewer, bar United fans, had to wonder again about VAR.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLFor many of us it is menacing the magic of our game.Forest people are going ape against it, maybe because they sense football is becoming the pen pusher’s revenge on human judgement.Wolves might have agreed a few weeks ago when a headed goal from five or six yards was disallowed because a team-mate was blocking the West Ham goalkeeper’s vision.But the truth is we have all had marginal, or worse, just plain wrong VAR decisions.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSOur beautiful game is broken, says Dave KidBy Dave Kidd
      WHEN Manchester United got lucky in their FA Cup semi-final, Antony’s first instinct was to goad heartbroken opponents Coventry. To rub their noses in the dirt.
      Antony seems to be a vile individual but this isn’t really about Antony. Because Antony is merely a symptom of the hideous sickness within England’s top flight.
      There is so much wrong.
      After our elite clubs persuaded the FA to completely scrap Cup replays — which gave us Ronnie Radford and Ricky Villa and Ryan Giggs — without due recompense or reasoning with the rest of English football.
      The previous day, after his Manchester City side had defeated Chelsea in the other FA Cup semi-final, Pep Guardiola whinged about the fixture scheduling of TV companies who effectively pay much of his £20m salary.
      Up at Wolves, Guardiola’s friend and rival Mikel Arteta was playing the same sad song about fixture congestion, despite his Arsenal side having played two fewer games this season than Coventry — who don’t have £50m squad players to rotate with.
      Chelsea, oh Chelsea. The one-time plaything of a Russian oligarch now owned by financially incontinent venture capitalists who have piddled £1billion on a squad of players who fight like weasels in a sack about who should bask in the personal glory of scoring the penalty that puts them 5-0 up against Everton.
      Read Dave Kidd’s full column as he takes aim at Nottingham Forest, Fulham’s ticket prices, the 39th game, VAR and much more…

      It was interesting to note this week Sweden became the first European country to reject the chance to introduce VAR in its top flight.It’s futile to boo a few blokes peering into monitors and advising the ref often three or even four minutes after a controversial incident.Mike Dean lost for words live on Sky Sports after VAR mix up for ‘stonewall’ penalty during Premier League clashIndeed, these delays drain the drama and excitement from football and might in themselves be enough to warrant sacking the whole system. Overall, they can add as much as ten minutes to a match.I resisted a few boos — not done in the House of Lord’s never mind the directors’ box at Stamford Bridge — when Maxwel Cornet’s goal for the Hammers was disallowed for a foul on Edouard Mendy.The ref’s poor decision was supported by VAR and Chelsea won 2-1 soon after.It may surprise us that VAR staff are human but John Brooks proved it when he drew the line between Brighton’s Pervis Estupinan and a defender and declared the Ecuadorian was offside.Whoops! Wrong defender. Brighton suffered a 1-1 draw with friends from Palace.A Premier League check concluded over four years VAR support to refs improved their performance by 14 per cent to 96 per cent correct.READ MORE SUN STORIESIt’s possible to argue with those figures on several grounds but fans’ question is simply: Is VAR worth all the friction?My stance is ‘yes’ on line decisions alone. But not for much else. More

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      ‘Just let him f***ing defend’, slams Man Utd icon as he blasts Ten Hag’s ‘crazy’ tactics for star tipped to be replaced

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      A MANCHESTER UNITED legend says they don’t need Jeremie Frimpong – instead erik ten Hag should just let Aaron Wan-Bissaka “f***ing defend” instead.Pressure has been mounting at Old Trafford and as they narrowly avoided disaster to beat Coventry on penalties and set-up a showdown with Man City in the FA Cup final last weekend.Erik ten Hag has been told to let Aaron Wan-Bissaka ‘f***ing defend’Credit: GettyThe Red Devils have been linked with a move for Jeremie Frimpong as a replacementCredit: PAHowever, they did not avoid embarrassment after blowing a three goal lead against the Championship outfit.Ten Hag’s side then trailed twice to bottom club Sheffield United before scraping a 4-2 win at Old Trafford in the Premier League on Wednesday.Sir Jim Ratcliffe, the 71-year-old billionaire, has taken over football operations at United after buying a 25 per cent stake in the club.And he has set about overhauling things off the pitch, appointing Jason Wilcox as technical director Southampton after revealing ex-Man City man Omar Berrada as their new chief executive.READ MORE ON MAN UTDAnd talks are still ongoing about Newcastle’s Dan Ashworth, who is on gardening leave, coming in as new sporting director.Meanwhile, the new top brass are reportedly trying to offload 11 players this summer in order to help fund six new signings with right-back Wan-Bissaka among them.And United’s new regime have identified Jeremie Frimpong as a perfect signing to bolster their defence.The highly-rated Dutchman, 23, was previously at Man City before joining Celtic five years ago and now plays for Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSWe reported how “concrete talks” had taken place over a potential transfer move for Frimpong.But 1999 treble-winning striker Dwight Yorke believes United already have a good right-back in Wan-Bissaka – if Ten Hag would let him do his job.I won iconic Treble at Man Utd… but I fear I’ll have to BUY a football club to ever land another managerial jobKlopp copied Fergie’s ‘biggest mistake’ and it’s derailed his final season, says Dave KiddBy Dave Kidd

      JURGEN KLOPP was genuinely surprised to hear it, on the January day when he announced his intention to quit Liverpool at the end of the season.
      It was put to him that Sir Alex Ferguson had told his Manchester United players in the summer of 2001 that the coming season would be his last.
      Ferguson later performed a U-turn and stayed at Old Trafford for another 11 years.
      But the great Scot admitted that revealing his intentions had been the ‘biggest mistake I made’.
      “I think a lot of them put their tools away,” said Ferguson, “They thought, ‘Oh, the manager’s leaving’.”
      It was a part of English footballing history which Klopp knew nothing about and he raised his eyebrows when he was told about it.
      Liverpool were top of the Premier League, having lost only a single domestic match all season – and that a controversial VAR-infested affair at Tottenham.
      But their form has nosedived since, with dreams of a farewell quadruple long gone.
      And Klopp may well now be reflecting on the wisdom of his announcement.
      Read Dave Kidd’s take on Klopp’s demise in full here.
      Or click here to check out all of Dave Kidd’s articles.

      Yorke told Crypto Casino LTD: “If Jeremie Frimpong is a bit fragile defensively, then he’ll be bought for a certain system by the manager.“Nowadays, fullbacks play much higher up the pitch and can play in all types of systems, but I don’t know how Erik ten Hag wants to play.“Man United already have a good right back in Aaron Wan-Bissaka, but you can say he’s the opposite of Frimpong, great defensively but not that great going forward. “When we attack, we should be letting Wan Bissaka sit back and offer more defensive protection, handling the one v one on the wing. But instead, he’s told to bomb up the wing and try to take on a player, which he can’t do.“Erik ten Hag should take away Wan-Bissaka’s attacking duties and make him defend, then they can have some solidarity in the defence.“Instead, Wan-Bissaka, who doesn’t score or create, run around like a headless chicken in the opposition box, running in his teammates’ way.Yorke added:  “It’s not rocket science, watching this unfold is crazy.“The one thing you need in the defence is to be able to defend one v one. Just let him f***ing defend.”Wan-Bissaka was signed from Crystal Palace for £50m in 2019 and he made the highest number of tackles in the Premier League during his first season but his form has been up and down since.READ MORE SUN STORIESHe struggled with illness and injuries last term and that has seen Diogo Dalot overtake him in the pecking.He’s played 24 times this term but Inter Milan have been eyeing a cut-price £13m swoop with the full-back only having a year left on his deal.Pundits verdict on Ten Hag’s futureWhere do the pundits stand on Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United future
      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.” More

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      Man Utd fans blown away by club’s classy FA Cup final gesture and say Sir Jim Ratcliffe ‘already making smart decisions’

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      MANCHESTER UNITED have impressed fans with a classy gesture for the FA Cup final.The Red Devils booked their place at Wembley after narrowly overcoming Coventry on penalties following a 3-3 draw after extra-time.Man Utd will subsidise young fans attending the FA Cup finalCredit: GettyThey take on fierce rivals Manchester City and the club have come up with a goodwill gesture ahead of kick-off.United will subsidise tickets for every Under-16 season ticket holder attending the match.Fans will receive a £30 discount, meaning some supporters will be able to buy a ticket for just £5.Director of Fan Engagement Rick McGagh explained the reasons behind the decision, saying: “Every young football fan dreams of seeing their team win the FA Cup at Wembley.READ MORE ON MAN UTD“Working alongside the Fans’ Forum, we are delighted to make this dream a more affordable reality for our under 16 season ticket holders by subsidising their tickets so they can attend for as little as £5.“Promoting and investing in youth is part of the fabric of this football club and we are proud to offer more support to our young fans. “We know two trips to Wembley – and three for those also attending the women’s FA Cup final – in the space of a month is expensive for all fans, but especially so for young fans who usually attend with other family members. We look forward to having lots of our young supporters cheering the team on at Wembley.”Fans are delighted by the move with one saying: “Sounds pretty great.”Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERAnother added: “Lovely to hear!”A third wrote: “Jimbo [Sir Jim Ratcliffe] already making smart decisions.”Man Utd best XI of academy graduates would walk the Premier League and boasts two Ballon d’Or winnersAnd another commented: “This is class fair play to the club.”Pundits verdict on Ten Hag’s futureWhere do the pundits stand on Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United future
      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.” More

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      England risk World Cup ban as huge storm kicks off over FA Cup replays being scrapped

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      MPs demanding a U-turn on the FA Cup replay row could risk England being banned by Fifa.During the second reading of the Football Regulation bill in Westminster on Tuesday, former Lib Dem leader Tim Farron promised to propose an amendment to give the Regulator the power to force the FA to reintroduce replays.England risk being banned from the World Cup over the FA Cup replay rowCredit: APHe argued, with backing from MPs across the House, that all member clubs must have a vote on deciding the rules of the competition.Yet such a move by the Regulator would leave open the possibility that Fifa could determine the FA had been subjected to “government interference” in the running of the game.That would be a breach of membership rules.In recent years, the world governing body has temporarily suspended the football associations of Zimbabwe, India, Sri Lanka, Kenya and Pakistan because of outside influence.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLLast night, it emerged that Spain’s government could take over the RFEF (Spanish FA) following disgraced ex-president Luis Rubiales’ kiss-gate scandal at the Women’s World Cup final.That could see them run the same ban risk as England, although in reality such a punishment is unlikely. BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERLast week, the English FA announced plans to scrap all replays in the FA Cup.Every round will now also be played on a weekend.Most read in FootballChris Wilder leads furious backlash to FA Cup replays being scrapped as fans urged to protest at ‘ridiculous’ decisionWhile there will be no clashes with the Premier League in the fourth and fifth rounds, as well as the quarters.The final will also be played on a Saturday, with no Prem fixtures to take place on the same day.But in another major change, it will take place before the final match of the Premier League campaign.Lower-tier clubs have been left in uproar, with some EFL and National League sides even threatening to boycott the FA Cup next season.An EFL statement read: “The EFL wishes to clarify further its position in respect of yesterday’s Premier League and Football Association bi-lateral announcement over the removal of FA Cup replays and the role of the League’s representatives on the Professional Game Board (PGB). “The agreement which now sees the abolition of replays from the competition format was agreed solely between the Premier League and FA.”Ahead of the deal being announced there was no agreement with the EFL nor was there any formal consultation with EFL clubs as members of the FA and participants in the competition.”In September 2023, the EFL did initially discuss with clubs potential changes to the FA Cup format but only as part of a wider and more fundamental change to financial distributions.”As is now clear, there has been no movement in this area since September.READ MORE SUN STORIES”This latest agreement between the Premier League and the FA, in the absence of financial reform, is just a further example of how the EFL and its clubs are being marginalised in favour of others further up the pyramid and that only serves to threaten the future of the English game.”The EFL today calls on both the Premier League and the FA, as the Governing body, to re-evaluate their approach to their footballing partnership with the EFL and engage more collaboratively on issues directly affecting our clubs.”Why FA Cup changes are GOOD NEWSBy Martin Lipton
      THE FA and Premier League should have done the deal to scrap FA Cup replays years ago.
      No doubt traditionalists will moan but it is right that the competition has finally been brought into the 21st century.
      Ending replays will bring extra sharpness and excitement to the ties, with the knowledge that there will be a winner, whether in 90 minutes, extra-time or penalties.
      If big guns have a bad day, they are more likely to pay the price. Replays after draws give them a fall-back they do not deserve.
      Giving the FA Cup total and absolute priority over four weekends – and ensuring there is no competing match on the day of the Final – will enhance the profile of a competition that was in danger of falling out of the spotlight.
      And as long as the FA ensures a better split of the prize money fund, weighting it more towards the earlier rounds, and potentially a similar move with  TV match money, there should be few losers.
      Read more on the FA Cup by clicking here. More

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      Man Utd Class of 92 legends look glum as they meet up for coffee days after embarrassing FA Cup semi-final

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      PAUL SCHOLES and Nicky Butt struggled to raise a smile as the Manchester United legends met up this morning.The Class of ‘92 icons enjoyed countless successes under Sir Alex Ferguson back during their playing days for the club.Man Utd legends Nicky Butt and Paul Scholes looked glum as they enjoyed a catch-upCredit: ZenpixThe pair were spotted meeting upfor a coffee in Cheshire this morningCredit: ZenpixThe two were team-mates for both Man Utd and EnglandCredit: News Group Newspapers LtdNeither Utd or Salford have provided any joy for Butt or Scholes this termCredit: ZenpixHowever, currently the Red Devils are a million miles away from those glory days.Erik ten Hag’s side narrowly avoided disaster by beating Coventry on penalties to secure a showdown with Man City in the FA Cup Final last weekend.The Dutchman won the Carabao Cup during his first term at the helm but this season he has failed to build on that.They are seventh in the Premier League, 16 points off the top four, and speculation continues to mount over whether part owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe will stick with Ten Hag this summer.READ MORE ON MAN UTDUnited have produced a series of underwhelming displays and embarrassments, including Champions League elimination at the group stage.The pressure is still mounting on the Dutchman ahead of tonight’s Premier League clash at home to Sheffield United despite setting up that date at Wembley next month.And it looked like Scholes and Butt, who both lifted the FA Cup three times with United, had little to laugh about as they were spotted having a catch-up in Cheshire earlier.The 49-year-old Scholes, dressed in jeans and a dark top and coat, has made no secret about feeling that Ten Hag’s time at the club will soon be over while working as a pundit.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSAnd there was little on display on Sunday to suggest that he might have changed his mind.Even though neither are officially still tied to United, they are both co-owners at League Two side Salford City along with fellow Red Devils icons Gary and Phil Neville, David Beckham and Ryan Giggs.Arsenal fans say they ‘live rent free in Ten Hag’s head’ after watching video of Man Utd boss’ FA Cup press conferenceButt is also the club’s chief executive officer – but they have had little to celebrate at Moor Lane this term either.They have stuck down the lower reaches of the fourth tier for most of the campaign but Karl Robinson’s arrival as manager in January has resulted in them beating the drop back to non-league.Meanwhile Roy Keane, who lined-up regularly alongside both Scholes and Butt in the 1990s and early 2000s, claimed United’s players looked “embarrassed” after the win over Coventry.He said: “I think from the United players and the supporters they weren’t really going over the top with the celebrations.“Because they know that they were quite lucky today. They had the game won at 3-0 and they are almost embarrassed to win in the end.”Keane added: “Every time I see this United team I don’t like what I see.Pundits verdict on Ten Hag’s futureWhere do the pundits stand on Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United future
      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.”

      “They’re hard to like and they just play in moments.“We keep talking about leadership and characters – I don’t see any of that in this United group.“The team management when you’re 3-0 up… you don’t give a Championship team any sort of hope that they can get back in the game.READ MORE SUN STORIES“But that’s what they do, they give up chances, they give up goals.“We’ve seen it all season so I don’t know why we’re that surprised, but my goodness they rode their luck in the end.”Victory his never been less glorious than this for Man Utd, says Dave KiddBy Dave Kidd
      PROBABLY only Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United could book a place in an FA Cup final while hanging their heads in shame.
      Minutes after the final whistle of this ridiculous semi-final, Coventry’s magnificent underdogs were performing a lap of honour to their cheering fans — while most of United’s players and supporters had disappeared.
      Then the Wembley PA system started blaring out ‘Glory, Glory Man United!’ and everybody started laughing out loud.
      Victory has never been less glorious.
      As a party-starter, it fell flat. As a stab at dark humour, it was sensational.
      Even by United’s standards of low farce this was ridiculous.
      Now even the unlikely scenario of a final victory over City is unlikely to save Ten Hag’s job.
      After all, Louis van Gaal was axed days after United last won this competition in 2016 and his side were never as bad as this current lot.
      Read Dave Kidd’s thoughts on the game in full here.
      Or click here to check out all of Dave Kidd’s articles. More