Ten Hag believes United can salvage season in Cup final, but quiet on his future

MANCHESTER, England : Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag believes his team can salvage what has been a woeful season in Saturday's FA Cup final against Manchester City, a game steeped in speculation it could be the beleaguered manager's last with the club.

"It's all about trophies," Ten Hag told reporters on Thursday. "We have a huge opportunity to win a trophy.

"In the last 10 years there have not been so many trophies at the club but we have the opportunity to win two in two years," he added, in reference to last season's League Cup victory.

The Dutchman declined to answer when he was asked if Saturday could be his final game in charge for United.

"I have nothing to say, I just focus on the job I have to do and that is win the game on Saturday and then we are in the project and keep going in the project," he said. "I came here to win trophies. Saturday I have the opportunity to achieve this and we earned this opportunity as a team.

"After every season you review it and see where you are in the project and what things may need to change."

Ten Hag appears to have the support of a sizeable chunk of fans, at least, as the hashtag "TenHagIn" was trending on social media platform X on Thursday.

United have hoisted the FA Cup 12 times, but have just one victory in their last five final appearances, a 2-1 win over Crystal Palace in extra time in 2016. They lost to City 2-1 in last year's final at Wembley.

Ten Hag's side have a tendency to save their best for top opposition, he pointed out, including a thrilling 4-3 win over Liverpool in the FA Cup quarter-finals in March.

"The FA Cup final, it's a big event and we are there. Even in a season that is not in our way, we are there," the Dutch manager said.

"We know we have an