Man Utd icon Teddy Sheringham's reaction to Erik ten Hag stay speaks volumes

Teddy Sheringham has described Manchester United's decision to stick with Erik ten Hag as the result of a "coin toss" following overwhelming uncertainty surrounding his future. The Old Trafford icon's stance emphasises the widespread feeling that Ten Hag had a 50-50 chance of staying put beyond the summer.

And that might not be a positive thing as the failings of last season invite a sense of the unknown heading into INEOS' first full campaign in charge of football operations.

Ten Hag was widely expected to be sacked after overseeing United's worst-ever Premier League campaign and suffering a Champions League group-stage exit, winning just one of six games.

However, a momentous 2-1 win against Manchester City in the FA Cup final on May 25 salvaged something huge from an otherwise disastrous season.

Ten Hag produced a tactical masterclass to avenge United's defeat in the same fixture last year. In doing so, he became the first manager to win major trophies in back-to-back seasons since Sir Alex Ferguson in 2011.

Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo repaid his faith in youth, another major positive of his two-year reign, by scoring the decisive goals after he established them as first-team stars.

But there were still doubts about whether FA Cup glory was enough to rescue Ten Hag, given the depths to which his side descended earlier in the season.

United have decided to retain the Dutchman for now, though, and look set to hand him a new two-year contract to show their backing and squash speculation.

And while Sheringham isn't against the outcome, the treble-winning striker wouldn't have been surprised to see Ten Hag get axed by United's new decision-makers.

"[United's decision] could've been one of two ways. I'm sure that's what the board have been thinking about for the last couple of weeks," Sheringham told Express Sport on behalf of TG Casino.

"Would it be harsh to sack him after just winning the FA Cup? But then, is the form good enough in the Premier League?

"So I reckon they were juggling. It was the toss of a coin. It really was as even as that; that's the way I see it.

"I wouldn't have been surprised if they sacked him, but I'm not surprised they've given him an extended stay."

Ten Hag will unquestionably have to guide United to an improved 2024/25 season if he is to last another year in the Old Trafford dugout.

However, the decision to allow him to continue his project has predominantly been received positively by supporters and former players.