.png)
7 months ago
41
Erik ten Hag claimed that stumbling into the FA Cup Final was a ‘huge achievement’ for Manchester United even though they were nearly humiliated by Coventry.
After Coventry fought back from 3-0 down to take the semi-final into extra-time, substitute Victor Torp thought he had won it – only for Wright, who had supplied the cross, to be ruled offside by the most marginal of VAR calls.
United then won the shoot-out to save some face although they will need to improve greatly to have a chance of beating Manchester City, in a repeat of last season’s Final.
‘We have reached two finals in two years and that is a huge achievement,’ insisted Ten Hag, whose position is under heavy scrutiny. ‘I see the mistakes we make. You can’t avoid them. But it’s not an embarrassment, it’s a huge achievement.
‘We can play at very high levels but in same match we can go to very low levels and it’s not explainable. It’s about game management, responsibility and decision making.
Erik ten Hag claimed that his side's shootout victory and progression to the final was a 'huge achievement'
The Red Devils advanced to the FA Cup final and set up a repeat of last year's showpiece
United needed penalties heroics to sneak past the Championship side in a thrilling cup match at Wembley
‘We have to do better in these occasions. On several occasions like this we let the result slip away but today we got away with it. I don't think heads dropped but we had many setbacks and maybe our reaction is human but it's not acceptable. When you are in control you should win easily.
‘We can't say this group doesn't have the right mentality because they showed character today, but in the final part there was a lack of discipline. This season has had many ups but also many downs.
‘Winning the FA Cup doesn't make the season successful. We want to win more. I have mixed feelings and there are mixed feelings in the dressing room.
‘First you have to put yourself in a winning position but then you have to take it over the line. In these moments we are making mistakes and not sticking to our responsibilities.’
United skipper Bruno Fernandes echoed his manager’s remarks and cautioned his team-mates against celebrating this win.
The Portuguese scored his effort in the shoot-out and was one of his team’s better performers.
He said: ‘We'll never be successful if we win [only] the FA Cup. The standard of this club is much higher than what we have been doing. We have to do better in the league, the League Cup and in Europe. We have to do so much better.’
Ten Hag also bemoaned the decision to award Coventry their penalty at the end of normal time, for a handball against Aaron Wan-Bissaka, saying he feels his team are ‘cursed’ in these situations.
Ten Hag bemoaned the decision to award Coventry a penalty for a handball on Aaron Wan-Bissaka deep into stoppage-time
But despite this display, the Dutchman expressed optimism United could turn the tables on City after losing to them a year ago.
He added: ‘We have to face the best team in the world but we showed last season that if we execute our plan over 90 minutes we have a chance to win. It's not going to be easy but we have an opportunity and we have to go for it.’
English (US)