This has been a hugely underwhelming campaign by United’s standards but the final at least offers them a chance to end it with a trophy.
As well as finishing eighth, their Carabao Cup defence ended at the fourth round and they finished bottom of a group featuring Bayern Munich, FC Copenhagen and Galatasaray in the Champions League.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who has full control of football operations, has already sanctioned a boardroom overhaul and there are reports he is about to make a decision on Ten Hag’s future.
On Thursday, at his pre-match press conference, Ten Hag was asked what he would say to anyone who believes the FA Cup final could be his last match in charge of United.
“I have nothing to say,” said the Dutchman, who is coming to the end of his second season in charge.
“I am just focusing on the job I have to do and that is first win the game on Saturday and keep going in the project.”
An FA Cup final win was not enough to save Louis van Gaal who was sacked two days after United defeated Crystal Palace at Wembley in 2016.
United finished that season fifth in the table, went out of the Champions League at the group stage, suffered a last-16 exit from the Europa League and lost in the fourth round of the League Cup.
And reports are circulating that United have decided to sack Ten Hag regardless of the outcome on Saturday.
Ten Hag signed a three-year contract when he took charge at the end of the 2021-22 season from interim boss Ralf Rangnick.
Mauricio Pochettino, who left Chelsea on Monday, and Thomas Tuchel, who has departed Bayern Munich, are among those who have been linked with United along with Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna.
