On the same day Erik ten Hag led his players into the FA Cup final, Manchester United officials met representatives of Brentford manager Thomas Frank, it's been claimed.
United have decided to stand by their manager for another season after Ten Hag masterminded a sensational 2-1 victory over Premier League champions Manchester City in last season's FA Cup final, a triumph that few - if any - predicted possible for the under-pressure Dutch coach.
Despite the considerable scale of the feat, Ten Hag's future with the Red Devils looked increasing uncertain after reports emerged that United were set to dispose of the Dutchman regardless of the final's result.
What unfurled was a two-and-a-half week saga during which alternatives to Ten Hag were sounded out, including England boss Gareth Southgate, ex-Bayern Munich boss Thomas Tuchel, ex-Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino, former Brighton manager Roberto De Zerbi and Frank.
And according to the Telegraph, United went forth with meeting Frank's representatives on the day of the FA Cup final due to the departure of Pochettino from Chelsea. There were concerns that Chelsea were also considering making a move for Frank, along with Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna, with whom United had also been in contact.
Further, amid the reports of Ten Hag set to be sacked imminently, Ten Hag's agent Kees Vos received no reassuring calls from the club's hierarchy regarding the rumours.
The Athletic have also claimed that United held face-to-face talks with Fulham boss Marco Silva just two days before the FA Cup final.
Tuchel eventually ruled himself out of the race for the managerial vacancy, while Southgate was unwilling to enter talks until after Euro 2024, albeit the Three Lions boss did admit that his England career could be over if he fails to win the tournament.
The lack of viable replacement and the risk of a protracted summer saga strengthened Ten Hag's position. Thus, following a thorough performance review of last season and constructive talks with Ten Hag, United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe and the INEOS board decided to extend Ten Hag's contract and keep the 54-year-old on board.
Ratcliffe and his team, including Sir Dave Brailsford and newly-appointed technical director Jason Wilcox, decided to consider Ten Hag's future through the prism of his full tenure at the club.
And while there has been admissions that Ten Hag's claims that he inherited a "mess" have substance, it was victory over City – and the quality of the performance in particular – that ultimately persuaded United's football hierarchy that they should stick with Ten Hag.
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