Not many people expected Manchester United to win the FA Cup against Manchester City and Theo Walcott believes Erik ten Hag played a huge role in landing the trophy.
The Red Devils turned up on the day and delivered their best performance of the season as they nullified the threat from City and in turn, looked a huge threat on the counter.
In the end, goals from Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho proved enough for United to win out.
Of course, there has been pressure on Erik ten Hag all season and he came out swinging in his interviews after the game.
And speaking about Ten Hag and United, former Arsenal forward Theo Walcott believes the Dutchman deserves huge praise for the speech he delivered at Old Trafford ahead of the final.
Theo Walcott says ‘massive’ Erik ten Hag moment helped Manchester United at Wembley
Speaking on the Planet Premier League show for the BBC, Walcott praised Ten Hag and believes his Old Trafford speech was a big moment.
“I feel what was massive was Erik ten Hag’s speech at Old Trafford,” Walcott said.
“Something about that, being an English player, and you having that support around yourself and just to get everyone up for a game which was two weeks away but the passion he showed – despite the amount of abuse and criticism he’s had – to stand there, the world is watching.”
Ten Hag deserves credit
There’s absolutely no doubt that some of the performances this season from Ten Hag’s United have been unacceptable.
Too often they have coasted through games and been outworked and outfought.
However, at Wembley, it was quite the opposite and for that, you have to give Ten Hag his dues.
As Walcott says here, to have the bravery to stand in front of the Old Trafford crowd after the year he’s had and pick the right words to get the crowd onside felt a big moment in his career.
Quite whether he remains at United is another question. But if they do sack him, then Ten Hag can leave on a high and knowing he gave his very best until the very end.