Pep Guardiola praised ‘exceptional’ Manchester United man straight after FA Cup final

Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has given himself an enormous boost having beat Manchester City in the FA Cup final on Saturday.

Much of the build-up heading into the game surrounded the future of Ten Hag.

Rumours of a sacking and a plethora of potential replacements threatened to ruin United’s chances of a Wembley victory against bitter rivals City.

Ten Hag and his players put all of that speculation to one side though and produced the most joyous afternoon of a testing season.

Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo – two young players who have been exceptional all season long and have given United fans a glimpse of a potentially exciting future – found the net in the first half to put United 2-0 up.

United had to hold on at the end of the game as Jeremy Doku pulled one back, squeezing a shot past Andre Onana to set up a grandstand finish.

There was to be no equaliser though as United ran out 2-1 winners, adding a 13th FA Cup trophy to the cabinet.

Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images

Pep Guardiola on Erik ten Hag

Maybe this will all be a little like 2016.

A Dutch manager leading United to FA Cup glory before being ruthlessly replaced.

Louis van Gaal met his end at United eight years ago and Ten Hag may yet go exactly the same way.

Saturday’s victory was a welcome moment in the sun for Ten Hag, who has battled through a turbulent season and come out with another trophy and a derby day victory.

Opposite number Pep Guardiola has now delivered his verdict on Ten Hag after losing to the United boss.

Guardiola and Ten Hag crossed paths at Bayern Munich and the Spaniard has admitted his admiration for Ten Hag despite the criticism.

Speaking to BBC Sport, Guardiola branded Ten Hag a ‘lovely person’ but also an ‘extraordinary’ manager, leaving the decision over his future up to Ineos and United.

“They have to take a decision,” said Guardiola. “He’s a lovely person and an extraordinary manager. Winning the FA Cup is important for them like last season it was for us,” he added.

Ineos left with tricky call

Manager rumours have been flying for months now and there are two key reasons for that.

United’s performances this season simply haven’t been good enough and Sir Jim Ratcliffe won’t be impressed watching a United side finishing eighth in the Premier League.

Additionally, Ineos didn’t appoint Ten Hag and they may want their own man in the dugout as their United project really starts to move forward.

Ten Hag has though made any decision a little trickier with a strong end to the season.

United finished the Premier League campaign with wins over Newcastle United and Brighton and Hove Albion before defying the odds to beat City in the FA Cup final.

Ten Hag has also won a trophy in each of his two season as United boss, with the Dutchman able to boast that silverware in any talks over his future.

Add in the injury crisis United have endured all season long and Ten Hag may now feel that he has a compelling argument to stay in the Old Trafford hot seat.

What may have seemed like a more straightforward decision a few weeks ago has now become a little trickier – but it’s a decision to be made after the celebrations quieten down a little; United fans deserve something to shout about and that should be the focus over potential managerial sackings.