BREAKING NEWS: “His display in the match made it evident that he is negatively impacting the team’s chemistry. His performance was lackluster and far below expectations. He cannot continue like this—he needs to be benched before it’s too late.” These were the strong words of Manchester United legend Roy Keane, who has urged the club to reconsider their stance on their underwhelming 5/10-rated player. Despite United’s Premier League victory over Leicester City, the player had fewer touches than goalkeeper André Onana, raising serious concerns about his contribution. “He was simply dreadful,” Keane added. “If he doesn’t improve quickly, he should be dropped.”

Manchester United’s turbulent season has finally come to an end, leaving behind a trail of inconsistencies, frustrations, and unanswered questions. Erik ten Hag’s tenure has been a rollercoaster, with his team struggling to find form and battling through tactical dilemmas and injury concerns. Despite his efforts to steady the ship, the final league standings paint a disappointing picture—one that falls far short of the club’s expectations and the fans’ ambitions.

The team’s eighth-place finish with just 60 points highlights the widening gap between them and the Premier League’s elite. They ended the season eight points adrift of the coveted Champions League spots and a staggering 31 points behind Manchester City, who secured yet another league title. The sheer magnitude of this gap raises serious doubts about United’s trajectory and whether they can realistically challenge for top honors anytime soon.

However, their campaign is not entirely over. There remains one last chance to salvage something from an otherwise disappointing season—the FA Cup final against Manchester City at Wembley. A victory in the prestigious tournament could inject some positivity into the club’s outlook and, crucially, offer Ten Hag a stronger case for staying in charge. Before stepping onto the grand stage, though, United must confront the pressing issues that have plagued them all season.

With the team’s struggles laid bare, questions about Ten Hag’s future have intensified. Many fans and pundits have called for his departure, citing the team’s failure to secure European football through league performance. On the other hand, some argue that sacking him now would be premature, particularly with INEOS set to take a more hands-on approach in reshaping the club. A long-term vision and a well-structured rebuild may be the wiser approach rather than another managerial change.

Despite heavy investments in the transfer market, United’s squad still appears unbalanced and lacking cohesion. Turning things around will require more than just a single transfer window, especially with new leadership taking charge of footballing decisions. The upcoming summer will be crucial in defining United’s future direction, but before that, their focus must be on Wembley, where key tactical decisions will determine whether they end the season with a trophy or further disappointment.

One of the biggest selection dilemmas ahead of the FA Cup final is whether Scott McTominay should start. The Scottish midfielder, much like the team, has had an up-and-down season. Despite rumors linking him to a move away last summer, he remained at Old Trafford and delivered a respectable 10 goals in 42 appearances—an impressive return given his previous career goal tally. However, his performances have lacked consistency, leaving doubts about his ability to influence big matches.

McTominay’s inconsistency was evident in United’s 2-0 win over Brighton, where he struggled to impose himself in midfield. Pundit Mark Goldbridge criticized his lack of impact, arguing that he contributed little beyond his goal-scoring stats. Such concerns were reinforced by his performance, as he missed a clear scoring opportunity in the first half, failing to control a Bruno Fernandes pass before slicing his shot wide. His limited touches and lack of creativity in midfield further highlighted his struggles.

As Ten Hag weighs his options for the final, major selection decisions must be made. Rasmus Højlund, who found the net against Brighton, may have earned a starting spot, while Marcus Rashford could be included despite his inconsistent form. The potential deployment of Casemiro in an advanced role could further complicate McTominay’s place in the lineup. Given his recent struggles, he should not be an automatic starter for Wembley. If United are to have any hope of lifting the FA Cup, they may need to look beyond McTominay for a more dynamic midfield presence.