Ruben Amorim has had a tough start at Man Utd. (Image: GETTY)
fell short in multiple departments in the build-up to his inevitable sacking as manager in October. The primary dispute over the decision was that it hadn’t come months earlier when the writing was already on the wall before May’s shock triumph.
But there was one aspect of the Dutchman’s turbulent two-and-a-half-year reign at Old Trafford that none of his critics could’ve used as firepower – and didn’t he know it.
Reporters attending Ten Hag’s press conferences grew to expect the under-fire United boss to use his two domestic cup successes as his first line of defence in response to concerns about a lack of progress.
The Red Devils slumped to their worst-ever finish and finished rock bottom of their Champions League group with one win from six games.
That didn’t matter, though. Ten Hag had ended the club’s torrid six-year trophy drought at the first time of asking in February 2023.
His silverware-starved side hit all the right notes at Wembley to brush United aside in a 2-0 triumph to clinch the Carabao Cup.
Ten Hag almost became the first-ever United manager to collect both domestic cups in the same season, only to fall short in the first-ever Manchester derby FA Cup final months later.
Had Ilkay Gundogan not fired past David de Gea from range seconds into the final, it may have been two for two rather than a 2-1 victory.
Ruben Amorim lost his first cup game at Tottenham. (Image: Getty)
A dismal 3-0 defeat at home to in the Carabao Cup fourth round in November 2023 abruptly ended United’s defence.
Eddie Howe earned vengeance on that night, but it was Ten Hag’s turn at the end of the season, defying the odds in the second successive all-Manchester FA Cup final.
The 2-1 win – crafted by goals from academy duo Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo – marked a special afternoon in the capital that ultimately saved Ten Hag’s job. Delayed the inevitable, more like.
However, regardless of the tainted sentiment that swarmed the 54-year-old as he returned home to the Netherlands, his cup pedigree is undisputed.
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Nineteen wins from 21 such games across is a monstrous record. has plenty to prove in that department.
The 39-year-old lifted three Taca da Liga (the Portuguese Carabao Cup) titles across his Braga and Sporting reigns, but he faced a fierce introduction in England.
His first domestic cup game ended in an agonising 4-3 defeat at . Amorim’s men trailed 3-0 but were awarded a glimmer of hope by ‘s characteristically clumsy hosts.
Alas, it was to be an exit. An away test against – title challengers and the record 14-time holders – in the FA Cup third round is another nasty task.
There is plenty of quiet optimism among United supporters despite the club’s utterly atrocious record in London, which was one of the biggest black marks under Ten Hag’s stewardship.
Amorim oversaw a 2-0 defeat at the Emirates Stadium last month, but his team played well in the first hour before being undone by two corners.
United have a dash of momentum after a spirited performance at Anfield, where they went toe-to-toe with the league favourites and perhaps should’ve snatched three points.
It’s a different situation in the camp. ‘s outfit have lost the consistency they’ve grown a reputation for across the last two campaigns.
They followed a frustrating 1-1 draw against out-of-sorts Brighton by losing 2-0 at home to in the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final.
United will descend on the Emirates with hope and confidence of launching their quest for a record-equalling 14th FA Cup in the best possible manner.
But defeat would all but end Amorim’s chances of picking up a trophy in his first season on the job unless the Europa League bears surprise fruit.
More notably, though, an FA Cup exit at the first hurdle would mean the Portuguese head coach has already lost as many games in his first two as Ten Hag did in 21 such outings.