Gary Lineker leaves Erik ten Hag livid after awkward interview

Gary Lineker’s awkward post-match interview with Erik ten Hag appeared to leave the Manchester United manager furious following his side’s FA Cup final victory. 

On Friday, reports emerged that Ten Hag was on the brink of being sacked, with The Guardian stating that Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his leadership group ‘will part company with the Dutchman, even if his side won the FA Cup.’ 

United would go on to claim a hard-fought 2-1 victory against Manchester City at Wembley, with Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo both scoring in the first half to leave Pep Guardiola‘s league champions stunned. 

Ten Hag later joined Lineker, Alan Shearer, Wayne Rooney and Micah Richards to discuss the game on BBC‘s coverage of the final. Lineker had pressed him on the rumous before concluding the interview smiling and saying: ‘We hope to see you next season!’

The Dutchman looked less than impressed by the comment from the Match of the Day presenter, with Lineker having also put him on the spot over his future at the club. 

Gary Lineker appeared to infuriate Erik ten Hag in an awkward exchange after the FA Cup final

Lineker told Ten Hag ‘we hope to see you next year’, with the United boss less than impressed 

The former England striker said: ‘I can sense your frustration, and your frustration might be that this could conceivably be your last game. Do you know?’ 

‘I don’t know,’ Ten Hag replied. ‘The only thing I’m doing is preparing my team, and developing my team. Progressing my team and individual players. 

‘Because this is a project for me. When I came in I can say it was a mess. Now we are better. We are by far not where we want to be.’

Despite a turbulent start to life at Man United, Ten Hag has now won two major honours in the two seasons he has been at the club. 

Their victory today will also see Man United secure a berth in the Europa League next season.

‘Football is about winning trophies. I want to play the best football, dynamic, attacking football but in the end, you have to win games and trophies,’ Ten Hag added.

‘That’s the mentality we brought in. This was our one opportunity and we did it. I’m very proud of the players and staff.’ 

Questions have been mounting over Erik ten Hag’s future as Man United boss, with Lineker (left) putting the Dutchman on the spot over his future at the club in an awkward interview

Reports emerged on Friday that United would fire Ten Hag (right) even if he won the FA Cup

Despite their indifferent season, United defeated rivals City 2-1 in the final to win the trophy

United had come into the game against City as second favourites, but they left their rivals stunned in the first half. 

Garnacho capitalised on a defensive error between Stefan Ortega and Josko Gvardiol to put the Red Devils 1-0 up after 30 minutes.

A moment of magic from Fernandes saw him pick out Mainoo on the left side of the penalty area, with the 19-year-old star curling the ball into the back of the net. 

City came back in the second half to attack United, with Jeremy Doku finding the back of the net in the 87th minute. But it was too little too late for the Premier League champions.   

‘All compliments to the team,’ Ten Hag added. ‘We played very good to our identity. Very strong. You have seen how we can play when we have the players on board. Some were not even match fit but the performance was very good.’

Ten Hag is on the brink of being sacked, but he has now won two major honours with United

Garnacho put the Red Devils 1-0 up after 30 minutes taking advantage of a defensive mix-up 

Mainoo took the second shortly afterwards, capitalising on a pass from Bruno Fernandes

Ten Hag was also questioned on whether criticism levelled at United over the season had been too much. United have endured a torrid season, finishing eighth in the Premier League – their lowest league finish since the 1989-90 season. 

‘I think so,’ Ten Hag said. ‘The team. Me as well. It was not right. But we didn’t have the players. 

‘We have seen the same things, not always good football – definitely not – but we had to make compromises all the time and then you can’t play the football you want to play.

‘I had maybe three or four times in two years we had the full squad available. Even today we were missing massive players like Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw and Casemiro.’