It is now or never for Manchester United and Erik ten Hag as both looked to salvage what has been a disastrous season in the FA Cup final against rivals Manchester City on Saturday.
Ten Hag is fighting to avoid the sack after his side finished eighth in the Premier League - their lowest final position since 1990.
United can still qualify for next season's Europa League if they beat the odds and deny favourites Man City a second successive domestic double at Wembley after Pep Guardiola's team surged to their fourth straight Premier League triumph on Sunday.
However, reports suggest Ten Hag is expected to be shown the door by the club irrespective of the result this weekend.
Mauricio Pochettino, Thomas Tuchel and Kieran McKenna are among the names being linked with the Old Trafford hot seat.
When asked whether this weekend's final could be his last match as United manager, the Dutchman said: "I have nothing to say.
"I am just focusing on the job I have to do and that is first win the game on Saturday and then we are in the project. Keep going in the project."
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Manchester City captain Kyle Walker lifts the Premier League trophy with teammates after their 3-1 victory over West Ham at the Etihad Stadium clinched a record fourth consecutive title on Sunday, May 19, 2024. PA -
Manchester City's Phil Foden celebrates with the Premier League trophy. AP -
Manchester City's Erling Haaland celebrates with the trophy. PA -
Matheus Nunes of Manchester City lifts the trophy. Getty Images -
Manchester City skipper Kyle Walker lifts the Premier League trophy. Getty Images -
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola celebrates with his Premier League winner's medal. Getty Images -
Manchester City's Jeremy Doku celebrates as fans invade the pitch fat the end of the game. PA -
Phil Foden is embraced by Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola as he leaves the pitch whilst being substituted. Getty Images -
Manchester City's Phil Foden celebrates Rodri's goal. PA -
Pep Guardiola celebrates after Rodri scored Manchester City's third goal. Getty Images -
Rodri of Manchester City celebrates scoring his team's third goal. Getty Images -
Manchester City fans celebrate Rodri's goal. Getty Images -
West Ham United's Mohammed Kudus, centre, celebrates scoring their first goal. PA -
Phil Foden of Manchester City celebrates after scoring his team's first goal. Getty Images -
Phil Foden of Manchester City celebrates scoring his team's first goal with teammates. Getty Images -
Phil Foden of Manchester City celebrates scoring his team's second goal. Getty Images -
Phil Foden of Manchester City scores his team's first goal. Getty Images -
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola celebrates their second goal scored by Phil Foden. Action Images -
Manchester City fans celebrate after Phil Foden'sopener. Getty Images -
Manchester City's Phil Foden scores the opening goal. AFP
Pushed on how he wants his time at United to be judged, Ten Hag added: "I came here to win trophies.
"Saturday I have the next opportunity and we earned this opportunity as a team and now we have to go for it.
"At the same time, in the last two years, of course after every season you review it and then we will see where we are in the project and things we have to change.
"We spoke lately about it. Underneath there are very good things - players coming up, players developing, values coming up."
His counterpart Guardiola said he has "huge respect" for Ten Hag despite a terrible season, which is in stark contrast to that of their neighbours.
City are celebrating an unprecedented fourth straight English top-flight crown and will become the first team to win the league and FA Cup in successive seasons if they triumph at Wembley.
Guardiola's men will start as hot favourites against United, who have lost six out of their past seven meetings in all competitions against their fierce rivals.
Guardiola has sympathy for Ten Hag after his second season in charge was marred by injuries to a host of key players.
"In the big clubs like United and City, when you don't win you are always in trouble. That's not a secret," Guardiola said at his pre-match press conference on Friday.
"I have a huge respect for his job in the past, and now in United. I completely agree when I listen to him say they have not had a full squad - lots of injuries.
"They have a lot of problems and when that happens the manager suffers a lot because the squad is really good. The problem when you are injured you cannot use them and this a big, big disadvantage."
Meanwhile, United goalkeeper Andre Onana praised under-fire Ten Hag.
Asked if there is extra pressure due to the importance of the match, goalkeeper Onana wagged his finger and said: "It's not extra pressure, it's extra motivation for us.
"Because we have our fans there. We lost twice against City already. We know how good they are. Best team at the moment - all of our respect - but we go there to win. A final.
"I will always remember (last year) we played better than City, but they won. People always remember the winners. We go there to make history to win."
