Andre Onana put his weight firmly behind underfire manager Erik ten Hag ahead of the FA Cup final showdown with Manchester City.
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Ten Hag likely to be shown the doorFinished eighth in the Premier LeagueYet Onana supports his managerWHAT HAPPENED?
It has been reported that Sir Jim Ratcliffe & INEOS have already decided to show the door to Ten Hag irrespective of the FA Cup final result. The Red Devils recorded their worst finish in the English top-flight in the Premier League era and it has been decided that the Dutch tactician will be relieved of his duties.
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"He's a good guy, a good coach," Onana told reporters ahead of the title decider.
"Tactically he's very good, and he showed it last season. I was not here last season and they got top four. This season a lot of things happened. I'm not here to back him. He is big enough to back himself, but he is a really good guy, he is a positive coach and tactically he's good."
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Ten Hag have frequently alluded to several injuries to key players throughout the season as a stumbling block to stringing together a consistent run of performances.
Onana believes that his argument has enough merit and added: "If [Ten Hag] had all his squad, it would probably be different. This season is difficult for him, for us, for the club, for the fans because it is frustrating for the fans when they are coming away and how we are losing, it is difficult."
GettyWHAT NEXT FOR ONANA?
Onana would hope to end the campaign by lifting the FA Cup trophy on Saturday at Wembley and thereby prevent City from setting another record of being the first English team to win successive domestic doubles – having already won the Premier League. It would also be a fitting farewell for Ten Hag as a victory would partly redeem his reputation before he ultimately bows out.