To say that it feels like last chance saloon for Erik ten Hag is something of an understatement.
Indeed, it is possible that the fate of the Manchester United boss is already sealed going by recent reports.
But the Dutchman will be given the chance to redeem himself by winning an FA Cup trophy for the Red Devils on Saturday, live on talkSPORT from 3pm. Or certainly leave on a high note of sorts.
Granted, they have the unenviable task of going up against their local rivals - a Manchester City side who have just won their fourth consecutive Premier League title.
But it is a Cup final, after all - and anything is possible.
And if Ten Hag were to somehow mastermind a famous victory over City in the final, then he would not be the first Man United boss this season to have salvaged an FA Cup trophy out of what has been an overwhelmingly poor season.
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Enter Marc Skinner, the Man United Women's boss who secured the first piece of silverware in his side's history after a convincing 4-0 win over Tottenham in the Wembley showpiece final.
Just one week later they slumped to an embarrassing 5-0 defeat to WSL champions Chelsea - but by that point Skinner's future had already been decided.
Five days after Man United's FA Cup win, the club announced that Skinner had signed a one-year contract extension - a decision that will have come as a shock to many, despite the trophy.
“It’s an honour to extend my stay at Manchester United. I’ve always felt at home here, with our excellent players, staff, and fans," wrote Skinner on the Official Man United website in the wake of the announcement.
One has to wonder whether he is including the fans who have spent various parts of this season holding 'Skinner Out' signs at matches in that.
Man United Women did not earn a trophy last year - but they did finish second in the WSL and earn the title of FA Cup runners-up.
Their style of play was far more to be admired with consistency and energy seeming to characterise them on the pitch.
This season, after an erratic WSL season which has seen them lose too many games that were well within their capacity to win, many expected Skinner to be shown the door.
If he had lost the FA Cup final, it is hard to imagine how the powers that be could have justified him remaining.
But whether or not the decision to retain Skinner was justified by his achievements this season, this all sets a very promising precedent for Ten Hag.
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Certainly, the Dutch manager has set all the wrong kind of records this season.
He has led Man United to their worst ever Premier League finish and they have also set a record for the most losses in a season.
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And although Skinner's contract extension seems to send a clear message that all of that can be forgiven - it's unclear whether Ten Hag will benefit in the same way.
Man City vs Man United in the FA Cup final is live on talkSPORT on Saturday 25 May from 3pm.
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