Even if you are vehemently ‘Erik ten Hag in’ at Manchester United, amid swirling speculation over his job, you have to admit, this week’s FA Cup semi-final is a must win.
Beating Liverpool in the quarter-final did not guarantee the Dutchman’s job. Instead it set up a banana-skin semi-final against Championship opposition Coventry City.
Winning will not end the debate over the Manchester United manager’s future, but it’s hard to escape the notion that a defeat could be terminal for Erik ten Hag.
Various names have been touted, including former United coach Kieran McKenna, who has made a real name for himself at Ipswich Town.
READ MORE: Every manager linked with replacing Erik ten Hag at Manchester United
Kieran McKenna looking for double promotion
Kieran McKenna led Ipswich Town to automatic promotion from League One last season, amassing 98 points along the way.
This season his side have been among the best in the Championship, and currently occupy top spot, with 89 points, they have a one point advantage over Leicester City.
With Leeds in the mix too, two points behind, Ipswich could yet blow it, but simply to be in this position with three games left is testament to McKenna’s credentials.
His side have earned plaudits for the style of football they are playing, scoring 85 league goals this season, the most in the Championship.
While the former Manchester United coach is still early in his managerial career, a return toOld Trafford is not impossible if Erik ten Hag gets the boot, and Ineos decide they want a young, exciting coach, one who already knows the club.
Kieran McKenna given Manchester United advice
Kieran McKenna to Manchester United is already a talking point, former Preston and Sunderland boss Simon Grayson believes that while it might be too early for him, it would be an opportunity he could not turn down.
He was quoted by the East Anglian Daily Press: “Looking at McKenna’s next move, the Manchester United job is very likely to be far too early in his managerial career, but he has done no harm in being on their radar as one to follow.
“McKenna has done a brilliant job getting Ipswich to the Championship and now to be in real contention for the Premier League, this is a huge achievement.
“But if you get offered that kind of opportunity, you don’t turn it down.
“I would be surprised if he gets an offer for that job because there’ll be a lot of other people with vast more experience than him, but you can never say never.”
McKenna will be fully focused on the job at hand, and a call from Manchester United may never come.
Erik ten Hag may have his ‘Mark Robins moment’ like Sir Alex Ferguson did in 1990 against a Coventry City side managed by Mark Robins, and never look back.
