MANCHESTER, England — Erik ten Hag has branded the detrimental response to Manchester United reaching a second successive FA Cup ultimate as “a shame.”
United wanted penalties to beat Coventry Metropolis on Sunday regardless of at one stage main the Championship aspect 3-0.
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Ten Hag’s workforce finally did sufficient to earn a spot within the ultimate, the place they’ll play Manchester Metropolis, and the Dutchman mentioned he can not perceive the fall-out from the efficiency.
“No, completely not,” Ten Hag mentioned at a information convention when requested whether or not he might perceive the overwhelmingly detrimental response to the show in opposition to Coventry.
“One query was: ‘Is it embarrassing?’ No, the response from you [the media] was embarrassing.
“High soccer is about outcomes, we made it to a ultimate and we deserved it, not solely by this sport but additionally the opposite video games. We misplaced management for 20 minutes, we additionally had dangerous luck. We have been very fortunate in the long run, it’s clear.
“We made it to the ultimate, it’s a enormous achievement. Twice in two years is magnificent. For me as a supervisor, 4 cup finals in 4 years. The feedback are a shame.”
Ten Hag additionally defended Antony‘s celebrations following United’s profitable penalty within the shootout
The Brazil winger, who got here on as a second-half substitute, was seen cupping his ear in direction of the Coventry gamers after Rasmus Højlund transformed the decisive kick.
Nevertheless, Ten Hag mentioned Antony had been provoked into his response and pointed to Harry Maguire, who instantly consoled the Coventry gamers after the ultimate whistle, as proof his aspect remained respectful of their opponents.
“[Antony] was provoked,” Ten Hag mentioned. “That is why this was a response of that. You have not seen the provocation, solely the response. However he shouldn’t do it.
“I’ve seen Harry Maguire straight after and others. We should always acknowledge the efficiency of Coventry and the comeback however we’re for 70 minutes completely dominating the sport.”
It was introduced on Tuesday that the FA Cup ultimate will kick off on the conventional time of three p.m. GMT on Could 25. It’s the second straight 12 months that the ultimate will begin at the moment, with the FA choosing an early night time slot in recent times.
In the meantime, United have extra harm issues forward of their Premier League sport with Sheffield United.
Ten Hag was pressured to make use of Casemiro as a centre-back in opposition to Coventry however may be with out Alejandro Garnacho, Marcus Rashford, Maguire, Scott McTominay and Bruno Fernandes at Previous Trafford on Wednesday.
“We had an issue with Garnacho, that is why we took him off throughout the sport [against Coventry] however I believe he might be positive,” Ten Hag mentioned.
“Scott McTominay, we have now to evaluate. He’s actually uncertain. Marcus Rashford can also be uncertain and there was additionally a problem with Bruno Fernandes with the hand, however I believe he could make it. We’ve got some doubts going into the sport.”
Info from The Related Press contributed to this report.
