Erik ten Hag has provided his honest verdict on Manchester United’s narrow victory over championship side, Coventry City in the FA Cup on Sunday, April 21.
The former Ajax Amsterdam manager claimed that falling into the FA Cup Final was a “huge achievement” for the Red Devils even though they were nearly humiliated by the Championship side.
Coventry pulled a show against the Premier League side after they fought back from two goals down to take the semi-final into extra time. Before the end of the game, substitute Victor Torp thought he had won the game – only for Wright, who had provided the cross, to be ruled offside after the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) intervened.
Speaking after the match, Erik ten Hag said; “We have to do better in such occasions but the difficult thing to do is put ourselves in a winning position, the last thing is much easier. On several occasions, we let ourselves down and let the result slip away but we got away with it.”
“So mixed feelings is clear. It’s a huge achievement to be twice in an FA Cup final in two years. In the last 20 years, United was in five times. Now two times in two years.”
“This game is not an embarrassment, I don’t see that word… it’s a huge achievement.”
He added; “But when you are so in control in a game, dominating, you should bring it over the finish. The way we did was not good. From the 70th minute to the end, we made mistakes and it shouldn’t have happened.”
Manchester United vs Coventry City in brief
Bruno Fernandes’ 58th-minute goal gave Man United their third goal of the game and almost sent the Red Devils on their way.
United had looked to be cruising past an apparently inferior opponent as they opened up a handsome lead with goals from Scott McTominay, Harry Maguire and Bruno Fernandes.
Yet, the Sky Blues, who are eighth in the Championship, pulled one back through Ellis Simms in the 71st minute and then threw caution to the wind.
Callum O’Hare pulled another one back with deflected strike and Haji Wright sent the game into extra time with a stoppage-time penalty after handball by Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
However, a late fight from the Championship side took the game to extra-time at Wembley. In the 123rd minute of extra time, Coventry scored their fourth goal of the night but the goal was ruled out by VAR for offside.
In the shootout, Callum O’Hare and Ben Sheaf missed their spot kicks and gave the Red Devils the right of passage to the FA Cup final.
The game pretty much summarized the inconsistencies of the season for the Dutchman’s side as they struggled to get the result across the line.
The 54-year-old manager’s job has been under intense pressure this season and the former Ajax boss could very well be on his way out of Old Trafford as Sir Jim Ratcliffe has not backed the Dutchman publicly to keep his job for next season.
Manchester United’s new part owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe was in attendance during the game, the British Billionaire also showed his concern towards the team, he said; “One of the problems in football is you get these new guys to coming to the team, really capable people, but they’re all on gardening leave.”
He added; “And so it takes you 6 months to a year, or even 18 months before they can join; it’s a real issue.”
What’s next for Erik ten Hag and Manchester United?
The Dutchman and his men will now take on Manchester City in the FA Cup final on May 25 at Wembley Stadium. Before that, they will be seen next in action in the Premier League on Wednesday, April 24, when they lock horns with Sheffield United as they keep on their hunt for European football next season.
