Manchester United fans believe Erik ten Hag could be on his way to replicating Sir Alex Ferguson’s success after noticing some eerily similar omens.
The Dutchman looks set to remain at Old Trafford after guiding the Red Devils to FA Cup glory – despite being at risk of getting the sack.
After a season in which United ended eighth in the table – their lowest Premier League finish in history – rumours swirled that he would lose his job prior to the 2-1 final win over Manchester City.
But he is now poised to be handed a contract extension in an incredible U-turn, which mirrors Ferguson‘s career in the early stages of his 26-year United reign.
In 1990, the Scotsman was on the brink of axe, with it believed he would have been relieved of his duties had United lost away at Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup third round.
However Mark Robins’ second half goal kept him in the dugout, with United going on to win the FA Cup, with Ferguson subsequently overseeing a dynasty at the Theatre of Dreams.
And United fans have now pointed out the similarities between Fergsuson and Ten Hag, with victory at the City Ground proving decisive.
United fan account @UtdFaithfuls on X pointed out how both men were in danger of being unemployed heading into FA Cup ties away at Forest.
In 1990, United wore white with Robins scoring a header in the second period, while it was Casemiro, in the club’s white away strip, who was the Red Devils’ hero in the fifth round clash in February.
The Brazilian found the back of the net in the 89th minute, with United finishing the season with silverware yet again after last year’s Carabao Cup success.
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United fans were quick to label the ex-Ajax boss as the second coming of Ferguson, as one replied to the post by saying: “Ten Hag will follow in Sir Alex’s footsteps.”
Another said: “The real history repeating itself.”
A third added: “You don’t write scripts like this.”
And this supporter simply stated: “He’s the future.”
Speaking on The Sports Bar on Tuesday night, United fan Kishan insisted he can see shades of Ferguson in Ten Hag with the duo no strangers in putting their faith in the club’s academy stars.
He told talkSPORT presenters Jason Cundy and Jamie O’Hara: “I’m not comparing him [Ten Hag] to him [Ferguson], but Sir Alex put faith in the youth, and I want to see him grow.”
Kishan added: “He will never be Sir Alex, but it takes big guts to pick these young kids.
“We’re going to win something next year, do you know why? Because Erik ten Hag is a winner.”
Meanwhile Jay Motty, a regular contributor to United fan channel Stretford Paddock, spoke of his delight that Ten Hag will be staying at the club.
He remarked: “I’ll be honest, I’m glad, I wanted Erik ten Hag to stay, I get your point about the poor performances in the league last season – finishing eighth – you can’t excuse all that.
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“But we have had a lot of injuries, and when he’s had players fit, you saw what he was capable of, you saw it in the first season, saw it in the FA Cup run, obviously the wins against City and Liverpool on the way to that.
“And when you saw the managers we were linked wit, none of them really filled me with much hope that they were going to improve things.
“So I’d like to see Erik ten Hag be given a chance under INEOS, under this new structure, where we have proper football people in charge of footballing decisions, instead of bankers that we’ve had in the past, and hopefully we can move forward.”
As for United fan Ben, he was equally as happy with United’s decision, as he said: “I’m really chuffed Ten Hag is staying to be honest with you.
“I think he gets a lot of bad rap, he’s got an average squad.”
Attention for Ten Hag will now turn towards bolstering his side as they prepare for Europa League football, where they are one of the favourites to win the competition.