Erik ten Hag sent brutal WWE message as Manchester United speculation builds ahead of FA Cup final

Erik ten Hag has been mocked by WWE commentator Wade Barrett as speculation builds over his Manchester United future.

Recent reports have claimed that the Dutchman will be sacked regardless of the outcome of Saturday's FA Cup final against Manchester City. Ten Hag enjoyed a successful debut campaign at Old Trafford, leading United to third in the Premier League and Carabao Cup glory.

But Ten Hag's team have regressed badly in 2023/24 with United finishing eighth in the table and are set to miss out on Europe unless they beat City on Saturday. MEN Sport have been told that the club will not ‘engage with speculation’ about the future of Ten Hag.

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And on Friday night's live episode of Smackdown on TNT Sports, Barrett took a swipe at the Dutchman. As tag-team The Bloodline entered the ring, the British commentator drew parallels between Paul Heyman's current predicament and that of the Red Devils' manager.

He said: "Paul Heyman is basically The Bloodline's answer to Manchester United's Erik ten Hag. He's still got a job but for how much longer?"

MEN Sport understands co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe is not completely sold on Ten Hag, but the working assumption is that Ineos will work with the former Ajax boss next season.

Ten Hag also believes he will remain at the club next season. “INEOS told me that they want to change everything and that they want to rebuild with me. This is what they told me directly”, he told Voetball International.

"INEOS will change things in the club and certain projects have already started. Carrington will get be completely destroyed, a new training ground will come.

"Let me be clear. It has been bad. It has been crap. But despite everything, we are going to play an FA Cup final."