FA Cup final triumph a fitting last act of defiance for embattled Erik ten Hag | David Hytner

Manchester United have endured crisis after crisis this season but their head coach will always have Wembley glory

It was one of the great shows of ego and defiance, pure theatre, pure Louis van Gaal. As another embattled Manchester United manager from the Netherlands found himself in the same position, it was impossible to ignore the echos. Erik ten Hag’s delivery was different, more measured and understated. But like Van Gaal before him, he had entered the arena for a fight. He made his punches count.

“I show you the cup,” Van Gaal said in 2016 after leading United to victory against Crystal Palace in the FA Cup final as he headed for the sack; he was informed of the decision 24 hours later. Van Gaal strode into the Wembley press conference room with the trophy, which he set down on the end of the desk before repositioning it bang in front of him after he took his seat.

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