Gary Neville has told Manchester United's owners Erik ten Hag has 'earned the right' to keep his job at Old Trafford after the 'beautiful' FA Cup achieved final victory Manchester city.
United's owners are currently deciding whether to dismiss Ten Hag or give the Dutchman more time to turn the club's fortunes around.
The build-up to Saturday's FA Cup final was dominated by speculation that Ten Hag would lose his job regardless of the outcome of the game.
But Neville believes that the surprising 2-1 victory over Premier League champions Man City – in addition to the lack of other 'excellent candidates' – means that Ten Hag must keep his job.
Manchester United, who have slumped to their lowest ever Premier League finish this season, are linked with Ipswich Town boss Kieran McKenna, ex-Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino and free agent Roberto De Zerbi.
“I couldn't bear to go to Wembley on Saturday,” Marcel continued The Overlap Newsletter, brought to you by Sky Bet. 'That's how little confidence I had in United's ability to prevent City from doing the double again!
'And yet it was a beautiful day. And a great performance after a terrible season that could change everything for Erik ten Hag…
'There is no doubt that Ten Hag's FA Cup victory has put Manchester United in a difficult position. This has been an unacceptably poor Premier League season for the club.
'Of course, Ten Hag will argue that he doesn't have a consistent enough squad to choose from, especially not from his back four. But still, the lack of control in many games is alarming.
'And yet he has two cups in two years. He has proven that he can win trophies with this team. He equaled Jose Mourinho as the most successful United manager since Sir Alex Ferguson.
'I think he has earned the right to continue. It's not exactly a convincing endorsement, but the first consideration when removing a manager is that you have the right and better replacement.
“There simply isn't a prime candidate to replace him who would make an immediate and massive upgrade.
“If you have the opportunity to appoint someone like Jürgen Klopp, as Liverpool did in 2015, or Pep Guardiola, as City did in 2016, then it makes sense to change.
'But there is no one here who can suddenly take this United team to another level. They may be doing a little better, but even with Guardiola in charge, this United team wouldn't win the Premier League.”
Manchester United may have just saved a dismal season by winning the FA Cup, with the shock victory over Man City sending them into the Europa League.
Ten Hag was in a feisty mood after the FA Cup win and said he would 'go somewhere else' and win trophies 'if they don't want me'.
Asked about his future at Old Trafford, Ten Hag said: 'I don't know [if he will still be in charge next season].
'All I do is prepare my team, develop my team. This is a project for me. When I walked in I can say it was a mess. Now we are better. We are not where we want to be.”
Manchester United defender Jonny Evans backed Ten Hag to keep his job after the Wembley win, saying: 'You want a manager who shows confidence and belief.
'I have only good things to say about him. Over the past month he has shown incredible tactical flexibility.
'Staying back and counter-attacking is not the style he sees himself as a coach, but he recognized the right time to do it and did it.'
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