Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag will be sacked even if he wins the FA Cup this weekend, according to reports.
Ten Hag has endured a difficult second season in charge at Old Trafford, with his side finishing eighth in the Premier League - their worst league finish since 1990.
United's hopes of securing European football for next season now rest on Saturday's final against rivals City at Wembley.
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But Ten Hag's chances of leading the team for a third season now look to be over.
The Guardian claim the Dutchman will be dismissed by the club's owners even if his side wins the FA Cup.
It is claimed that a 'well-placed source' at United has confirmed Ten Hag will be dismissed regardless of the result.
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It is set to be the most significant move made by Sir Jim Ratcliffe since his company INEOS purchased a minority stake in United and assumed control of football operations at the club.
The report claims that United have already drawn up a five-man shortlist of potential replacements for Ten Hag.
This includes three former Chelsea managers - Thomas Tuchel, Mauricio Pochettino and Graham Potter, as well as Brentford boss Thomas Frank and former United coach Kieran McKenna, who recently guided Ipswich to the Premier League.
It does not include England manager Gareth Southgate, who has been strongly linked with the job in recent months.
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Speaking ahead of the final, Ten Hag dismissed speculation surrounding his future as manager.
When asked if the match could be his last in charge, he replied: "I have nothing to say.
"I am just focusing on the job I have to do and that is first win the game on Saturday and then we are in the project. Keep going in the project."
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Ten Hag added: "I came here to win trophies.
"Saturday I have the next opportunity and we achieved this, earned this opportunity as a team and now we have to go for it.
"In the same time, in the last two years, of course after every season you review it and then we will see where we are in the project and things we have to change.
"We spoke lately about it. Underneath there are very good things - players coming up, players developing, values coming up.
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"And, in the same time, we have on Saturday a big opportunity to win the next trophy."
Topics: Manchester United, Erik Ten Hag, FA Cup, Football
Rory O'Callaghan