ten Hag job is safe until after the Cup final, but Ratcliffe poured cold water on Mourinho's likely return to Man Utd

Manchester United will not sack Erik ten Hag before the FA Cup final against Manchester City despite several players believing the Dutchman’s fate has already been sealed.

United’s abysmal 4-0 defeat at Crystal Palace on Monday night has piled even more pressure on the manager as the club continues to break records in mediocrity.

Their 13th defeat of the season is a new record with the club fighting to avoid their lowest points haul of the Premier League era – currently four points off the 58 they managed in the 2021-22 season.

United could still salvage their season when they take on City on May 25 at Wembley in a repeat of last year’s final where Pep Guardiola’s side sealed a 2-1 win.

But with United’s form slipping at an alarming rate, there have been calls for the manager to be replaced before that date with former players Paul Scholes and Michael Owen among those to suggest his assistant coach Steve McClaren should be considered.

Ten Hag has not been offered firm guarantees over his long-term future at Old Trafford since the arrival of Jim Ratcliffe and his team, headed by Dave Brailsford.

But for now, his position is safe with United not planning to replace him before this month’s cup final, the Telegraph report.

A decision will instead be taken at the end of the season despite several players within the squad believing his time is up.

Meanwhile, Ratcliffe believes Jose Mourinho oversaw a 'catastrophic' period at United and previously accused the former Chelsea boss of 'destroying' Luke Shaw.

It comes after the Manchester Evening News revealed the Portuguese would love to manage the club again. Mourinho was in charge at Old Trafford for two seasons between 2016 and 2018.

He won a League Cup and Europa League during his first season but was unable to lead the club to more success. The Manchester Evening News understands that Mourinho has told confidants he would 'walk' to Manchester to manage United for a second time after being sacked in 2018.

Although Mourinho is said to be a friend of co-owner Ratcliffe, who could make a change in manager, he is not expecting an approach from his former club.

Despite their friendship, Ratcliffe was not a big fan of Mourinho's work at United. Speaking at the time, he told The Telegraph: "I am a season ticket holder at Chelsea. Have been for years, although I’m a Manchester United fan. Or was...

"It’s not getting any better [at United]. It’s gone from bad to catastrophic. Talk about a glass half empty. And then you look at Mourinho. He’s so down, he destroyed Luke Shaw last season."

Mourinho is currently without a job after leaving AS Roma earlier this year. He was dismissed by the Italian side after winning just eight of their opening 20 league matches.