Struggling United supervisor says making it to 2 finals in two years is ‘magnificent’ after his workforce was roundly criticised for blowing a 3-0 lead.
After limping into the FA Cup ultimate, Manchester United supervisor Erik ten Hag has come out combating towards the reactions to his workforce’s eventual win over Coventry Metropolis.
United had been roundly criticised for blowing a 3-0 lead towards their second-tier opponents on Sunday and needing a penalty shootout to advance to the ultimate.
Ten Hag himself admitted United was lucky when Coventry noticed an extra-time winner dominated out by VAR for a marginal offside. However with uncertainty surrounding his future after a disappointing season, he hit out at his critics after main United to back-to-back FA Cup finals.
“The response from you [the media] was embarrassing,” he stated at a information convention on Tuesday.
“Prime soccer is about outcomes, and we made it to the ultimate and deserved it.
“Twice [two FA Cup finals] in two years – it’s magnificent. For me as supervisor, 4 cup finals in 4 years. The feedback are a shame.”
United will play Manchester Metropolis on Could 25 in a repeat of final 12 months’s ultimate.
The supervisor has been broadly criticised, including to hypothesis that he’s on borrowed time at Previous Trafford.
Former Premier League striker Chris Sutton stated the efficiency would “cement his sacking”.
However ten Hag was in a defiant temper on the eve of United’s Premier League match towards backside aspect Sheffield United on Wednesday.
“We misplaced management for 20 minutes. We additionally had unhealthy luck, 3-2, 3-3. We had been very fortunate ultimately, it’s clear. Penalties was excellent, and we made it to the ultimate. It’s a big achievement.”
Ten Hag gained the Dutch Cup with Ajax in 2019 and 2021 and was runner-up in 2022. He additionally gained three Dutch league titles as Ajax coach.
Below ten Hag, Ajax reached the semifinals of the Champions League in 2019.
It was that document that persuaded United he was the fitting candidate to show the membership’s fortunes round after years of decline since former supervisor Alex Ferguson retired in 2013.
Ten Hag gained the English League Cup in his first season with United final 12 months and certified for the Champions League. However he has struggled to construct on that early success this time period.
His workforce are presently in seventh place within the standings and look set to overlook out on the Champions League, trailing fourth-place Aston Villa by 16 factors with two video games in hand.
New co-owner Jim Ratcliffe is overseeing sweeping modifications on the membership and hypothesis is rife about ten Hag’s place.