Ten Hag is WRONG about 'embarrassing' Coventry reaction

Cameron Smith

• 23 Apr 2024 19:00 BST
• 4 min read

Erik ten Hag believes the reaction to Manchester United’s FA Cup semi-final against Coventry City has been a “disgrace” and “embarrassing”.

Erik ten Hag is wrong.

Sure, Man Utd qualified for the FA Cup final for the second consecutive year and have the chance to secure their second trophy in two seasons under the Dutchman, but the reaction to their penalty shootout win over Coventry is totally justified.

READ MORE: It's officially time for Man Utd to SACK Erik ten Hag

The Red Devils were 3-0 up and cruising in the 70th minute, but they suffered a late collapse as Mark Robins’ side scored on three occasions to force the game into extra-time.

Goals from Ellis Simms, Callum O’Hare and Haji Wright completed Coventry’s memorable comeback and the Championship outfit almost sealed a last-minute winner, but were cruelly denied by a VAR intervention in the dying seconds of extra-time.

Man Utd may have eventually won the game on penalties, but the fact they threw away a 3-0 lead against a team currently eighth in the Championship is downright embarrassing. Coventry have also lost three of their last four league matches, yet were almost able to clinch a historic win at Wembley.

READ MORE: Antony was 'PROVOKED' by Coventry - Erik ten Hag

Furthermore, the second tier side racked up 18 shots on goal during the match; the last time they achieved that feat in the Championship was against Swansea City in December 2023.

In addition, Man Utd were a toenail away from being dumped out of the competition, after the aforementioned Wright was adjudged to have been narrowly offside in the build-up to Victor Torp’s goal in extra-time.

Antony’s reaction after Man Utd’s penalty shootout win was also an extremely bad look given he has amassed just four goal contributions in all competitions this season and cost the Red Devils more than three times Coventry’s entire starting XI.

Erik ten Hag is wrong

Ahead of Man Utd’s Premier League clash against Sheffield United, Ten Hag expressed his anger at the media reaction following the game. “Football is about results,” he said. “We made it to the final and deserved it.

“We lost control for 20 minutes and were very lucky in the end but we made it to the final. That is a huge achievement.

“The reaction from you [the media] was embarrassing. Twice [two FA Cup finals] in two years, it is magnificent,

“For me as manager, four cup finals in four years. The comments are a disgrace.”

However, the fact a club of Man Utd’s size and financial backing conceded three goals in just 24 minutes against Championship opposition is inexplicable. Furthermore, their late collapse at Wembley came after a similar crumble against Chelsea in early April.

The Red Devils led 3-2 in the 99th minute at Stamford Bridge, but two goals in two minutes from Cole Palmer ensured Mauricio Pochettino’s side sealed a last-gasp comeback in a dagger blow for Man Utd’s European hopes.

All in all, Ten Hag may feel as though his side have been harshly criticised after reaching the FA Cup final, but the manner in which they achieved that feat has heaped significant pressure on his shoulders and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him sacked before the 2024-25 season begins.