After what has been a terrible season, Ten Hag and his Manchester United boys walked into the belly of Wembley Stadium as the very definition of underdogs. Both United fans and the entire football world already knew what was going to happen. Manchester United were facing a shameful mauling against their noisy neighbors.
However, in that despair there was a lingering hope. Despite speculation in the media about Ten Hag's job on the eve of the final, there was a dim but lingering light in the minds of United fans that we might do something amazing.
After all that disappointment throughout the season, finally having some center backs returning, surely we were going to leave it all on the pitch. For the fans! For Ten Hag! For the players pride!
Immediately after the game started it was clear that the players were going to fight. The team was set up to be tough to beat. A counter-attacking force in the mold of Mourinho. Ole Gunnar Solsjaer even. A style that had seen him beat Pep consistently.
United's players were dominant even without the ball. Every time City turned over possession Manchester United looked to score with every counter attack. Pep's boys, with all their possession looked toothless. They opted for speculative shots from outside the box that never seemed to trouble Onana.
The two goals scored by our teenage graduates in the first half were eventually enough to see Manchester United clinch the FA Cup, despite Onana trying to reprise his Champions League disastrous form. Onana had all the time in the world to see Doku's shot but somehow managed to push it into his own net.
With the final whistle blown, the celebration kicked off. Amid the celebrations, opinions changed. Suddenly the season didn't seem too bad.
Yes! Man United finished 8th with a negative goal difference. But European qualification has been achieved against two of our bitter rivals in City and Liverpool. Furthermore, injuries in critical areas of the pitch had truly hindered any level of consistency. It was clear to see for those who cared.
It is also easy to forget that Mainoo, Kambwala, and Garnacho are teenagers who have had to step-up and carry the team. Garnacho and Mainoo in particular. None of them were meant to be starters and shouldn't be next season either.
INEOS would be foolish not to allow Ten Hag to see his contract through next season at the very least. It would be the first time in a decade a Man United manager will have the support of a proper football structure above him.
If the rumors are to be believed, targets have already been identified and they all look really good. None of them are in the twilight of their football careers like Casemiro, Ronaldo, Varane, Evans among many others.
If there is anything we have learned this season, it is that many players in the squad are not robust enough primarily due to their age. The transfer targets seem to address that, and Ten Hag can only benefit if he is here next season.
In the coming weeks we will have the official results of the INEOS review and we will know Ten Hag's fate. It is my hope we don't make the same mistake we did with Solsjaer. Let the manager see his vision through.