THE saying goes that lightning doesn’t strike twice, but Manchester United fans are convinced otherwise.
That’s because Erik ten Hag keeping his job with the club following FA Cup final success has striking similarities to the pathway Sir Alex Ferguson trod at Old Trafford.
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In 1990, Ferguson, like Ten Hag this year, was saved from the chop by winning the FA Cup after a poor season in the league.
However, fans have spotted five eerie similarities which could fans believe could signpost a new era of success for the Red Devils.
To start with, cast your mind back to February 28 when Man Utd beat Nottingham Forest 1-0 away from home in the FA Cup fifth round.
Ferguson, 82, achieved an identical 1-0 result in 1990 away against Forest, albeit in the third round.
Both occasions saw the Red Devils wearing a white kit with a red collar.
Amazingly both kits were also manufactured by sportswear giant adidas.
In 1990 it was a headed goal from Mark Robins that secured passage into the next round, while this time around it was a headed effort from Casemiro which made the difference.
Man Utd then of course went on to win the trophy in both seasons, beating Crystal Palace and Manchester City in the respective finals.
But another stunning detail of the two cup runs is the semi-final ending 3-3 after extra-time.
This year, Ten Hag’s Man Utd blew a 3-0 lead to Coventry before winning on penalties, ironically with 1990 hero Robins in the dugout for the Championship side.
Meanwhile in 1990, Man Utd drew 3-3 with Oldham after extra-time, and only secured passage to the final after winning 2-1 in extra-time of the replay.
Then of course there is the consequences of the results, asides from 1990 being the club’s seventh FA Cup crown and 2024 being its 13th.
Ferguson kept his job and went on to become the club’s most successful manager ever, winning five FA Cups, 13 Premier League titles and two Champions League among a host of other accolades.
Ten Hag, 54, has also kept his job, and fans have been left convinced he will now go on to do great things at OId Trafford.
One fan went so far as to say it was “written in the stars” for him to bring more success to the Red Devils.
Ferguson was 48 when he landed the FA Cup and continued to manage until he was 71.
Ten Hag is 54, so in theory there is plenty of scope for him to have plenty of success so long as he has the appetite for it.
The Dutchman’s existing deal runs until next June with an option for an additional year, but following the Ineos-led review which has kept him in place, talks over a new deal are said to have been opened.
However, Ten Hag will reportedly take on a reduced role when it comes to transfers, with Ineos to take full command of the department over this summer.
And a new hardline stance from them has seen Man Utd refuse to bow to Everton over their £70million asking price of Jarrad Branthwaite.
