KEIR RADNEDGE at WEMBLEY: Erik ten Hag, in a bizarre press conference for an FA Cup winner, was challenged only by a succession of media questioners about his reaction to his likely imminent sacking.

Manchester United’s Dutch manager said that winning the FA Cup was the achievement of a bucket list ambition but that was the only celebratory moment he was allowed in which to enjoy the 2-1 victory over neighbours City on first-half goals from Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo.

United had finished out of the European places after a disappointing Premier League campaign but Wembley success rescued entry into the Europa Cup.

Ten Hag, his future reportedly in question after completing two of his three contracted years, said: Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag said: “That’s always the best to end on a high when you have all the summer to enjoy it. I don’t think about this [sacking speculation] I’m in a project and we are exactly where we want to be.

“When I took over the club was a mess and now we are on our way to construct a team for the future. This team is developing, it is it is winning trophies but if you play in both England and Europe you need players available and there is still a lot of work to do.

“If they [United’s owners] are not satisfied then will I go somewhere else to win trophies as I have done all through my career.

“Still we need transfer windows to bring in better players and players who are robust enough to deliver consistent performances.

“I really enjoyed this final, first for lifting the trophy but esp for the way we played and you see all the work we put in and if you play at this level against the best team in the world then I’m very happy to see that.”

City manager Pep Guardiola blamed himself for a his team’s flaccid first-half performance when United grabbed an ultimately unbeatable lead.

He said: “My game plan was not good. It was my mistake, we were not in the right position to attack them. How we reacted in the second half was much better. We were more intense and didn’t have anything to lose.

“We had the chances but unfortunately we scored our goal a little bit late.

“It’s disappointing as is normal for teams who lose a final but the season has been extraordinary, fighting for all the trophies in a good way. In football, as in life, you win, you lose. We have to be proud to celebrate what we have done. Happy holidays!”

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