Ten Hag masterminded a 4-3 FA Cup win over Liverpool that may just have saved his job for another season.
Sunday’s 4-3 win over Liverpool was a victory straight from a fairy tale. The sort of game that will stir the soul of United fans forever.
It felt like a game from the 80’s. Players in the modern age don’t look quite so exhausted as they did on Sunday. All 22 players dragging their limbs forward for just one more assault.
Modern teams do not usually end up with an attacking midfielder hobbling around at centre-back. Trying to work out the United formation by the end was impossible. Harry Maguire and Diogo Dalot were the only two defenders left by extra time.
These were two sets of players living entirely in the moment. Nobody was keeping anything in the tank for the internationals to come. There was no settling for penalties, just relentless, end-to-end attacking.
The victory meant so much to the United faithful but will it keep Ten Hag in the job?
Should the Red Devils go on to beat Manchester City or Chelsea in the final, it would be hard to dismiss him. Most importantly, amid the sort of ecstasy that can make years of underachievement seem worthwhile, United have enjoyed a win over their greatest rival that will resonate for decades.
