Man United chiefs make brutal 'decision' after Arsenal defeat ahead of Man City FA Cup final

Manchester United have reportedly made a big decision before their FA Cup final against Manchester City later this month. Over the weekend, United fell to defeat in drab fashion at the hands of Premier League title challengers Arsenal to leave them unable to finish in the top five following Tottenham's win against Burnley.

Erik ten Hag was without Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford due to injury and their absence was telling with the Gunners comfortably strolling to three points. Following another home defeat, pressure on Ten Hag's position has increased with the United boss appearing to reach boiling point.

During an interview on Sky Sports, he was asked how big the gap to Arsenal would be if he had a fully fit squad, but Ten Hag was keen not to be drawn into hypothetical scenarios.

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"That is pathetic," he snapped back. "We don’t have to answer this question in this moment. Because it isn’t. We have these problems and the problems have caused us an effect in results. But I don’t know where we would be if we had the players on board.

"If we had all of the players on board, we will get more points and have more consistency in the backline." Harry Maguire recently joined fellow defenders Raphael Varane, Lisandro Martinez, Victor Lindelof and Tyrell Malacia on the injury list but there is hope he can return for the FA Cup final against Man City on Saturday, May 25.

Before the repeat of last season's clash at Wembley, United end the season against Newcastle before then facing Brighton on the final day of the season. United will be hoping to secure a European qualification spot for next season in the final weeks through either the league position or through winning the FA Cup.

In order to have full focus on that clash in the capital, United's hierarchy have chosen to cancel their planned end-of-season awards dinner, as per the The Athletic.

The event was scheduled to take place on Monday, May 20 with the club admitting the decision was made because they do not want distractions before taking on Man City the following week.