Erik ten Hag faces a huge challenge in the FA Cup final (Picture: Getty Images)
Dwight Yorke says Manchester United have to be at their best in the FA Cup final this weekend or it could be an embarrassing afternoon against Manchester City.
The Red Devils have had their worst ever Premier League season, finishing eighth in the table, while Pep Guardiola’s side won the title for the fourth year on a spin.
There is hope for Erik ten Hag’s side, who beat their local rivals in the Premier League just last year, but there is no doubt that City are red hot favourites to beat United in the final, just as they did last season.
Yorke, who won the FA Cup with the Red Devils as part of the treble in 1999, feels a fully-fit and firing Manchester United have ‘half a chance’ of winning on Saturday, but otherwise it could get messy.
‘Manchester United need to be at their best from a tactical point of view and a lot will depend on the formation Erik ten Hag plays, as well as the personnel available,’ Yorke told Crypto Casino.
‘If they have a fully-fit team, then they’ll have half a chance against them considering it’s a one-off game, but they’re going to need a lot of luck going in their favour to get a result.
‘You think of Erling Haaland missing all the chances that he has, yet City are still able to conjure up other players to score their goals. If he is playing well and taking his chances, then United are in desperate trouble!
Dwight Yorke feels things could get very sticky for his former club this weekend (Picture: Getty Images)
‘They need everything to go in their way to have any chance of lifting the trophy – they need to play an unbelievable game with a lot going in their favour and take all the opportunities that come their way.
‘The odds will be stacked against them and it could be quite an embarrassing scoreline, but alternatively they could pick City’s pockets and sneak a result.’
Erling Haaland is hoping to add yet more silverware to his CV (Picture: Getty Images)
Regardless of whether United can spring a huge surprise on Saturday, another club hero in Rio Ferdinand does not think Ten Hag will keep hold of his job.
‘The more and more I think about it, win or lose, I don’t think Ten Hag will be there come next season,’ the former United defender said, speaking on his FIVE YouTube channel.
‘I’m not saying that’s what I want, I’m just saying what I believe is going to happen, and I believe that the club are going to look elsewhere I think.
‘I don’t think [winning the FA Cup] changes anything in the eyes of INEOS. I’ve not spoken to anyone there, this is just an assumption, this is what I think.’
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