ERIK TEN HAG has lashed out at the “disgraceful” criticism of Manchester United’s FA Cup win over Coventry, despite admitting his side were “lucky” at Wembley.
The Red Devils narrowly booked their place in next month’s final against Manchester City with a dramatic penalty shootout win on Sunday.
AlamyErik ten Hag has blasted criticism of Man Utd’s win over Coventry[/caption]
United had been leading 3-0 with 20 minutes to go before Coventry launched an astonishing comeback.
A last-gasp strike took the game to extra time.
And Coventry once again pounced at the death, this time with a match-winning goal.
However, VAR narrowly ruled it out for offside in controversial fashion.
United went on to win the shootout despite Casemiro missing their first penalty.
And pundits criticised their lacklustre performance against a Championship side, with Antony also targeted for his unsporting celebration in the faces of the Coventry players.
But Ten Hag has come out swinging after insisting United deserved to progress to the showpiece event.
The Dutchman reckons any disparaging talk about his team is a “disgrace.”
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And he also lashed out at the “embarrassing” reaction from pundits.
Ten Hag barked at his press conference on Tuesday: “No, I absolutely can’t understand the reaction. Was it embarrassing? No, the reaction from you was embarrassing.
Pundits verdict on Ten Hag’s future
Where do the pundits stand on Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United future
Jamie Carragher – Sacked
“I don’t see how Erik ten Hag stays. It’s just performance after performance.”
Gary Neville – Stay if he wins the FA Cup
“To sack a manager who’s won two trophies in his first two seasons at the club I think would be extreme.”
Louis Saha – On the fence
“I don’t see it as clearly but they need changes from the players but they need changes from him as well.”
Alan Shearer – Sacked
“I believe the future of the Man Utd manager is already determined. Even if they win the FA Cup I think he’s gone.”
“In top football, it’s about results. We made it through to the final and we deserved it. Not just in this game, but also in the other games.”
Ten Hag also launched a desperate defence of his position at manager by pointing next month’s final will be his fourth in as many years.
Reports claim Sir Jim Ratcliffe could sack Ten Hag in favour of a new boss, with Thomas Tuchel and Graham Potter linked.
Ten Hag added: “We were in control until the last 20 minutes and we also had bad luck. We were very lucky in the end with the penalties.
“But we made it to the final and that is a huge achievement. Twice in two years is magnificent. For me as a manager, four cup finals in four years. So the comments are a disgrace.”
I’ve covered Man Utd for 25 years – that win over Coventry was biggest ever embarrassment
By Neil Custis
The win over Coventry was an embarrassment for Manchester United supporters, and one that will be felt for some time.
In my 25 years covering the club, this was the biggest.
Forget a 6-1 defeat at home to Manchester City, an aberration, this was the denouement of a long and sorry chapter in the club’s history.
Fans briefly celebrated Rasmus Hojlund’s winning penalty in the shootout only because they felt they should.
There was no such delight on the pitch, apart from the penalty taker and that clown Antony who had come on with the side well in control at 3-0.
It was no coincidence they went into reverse when he imparted his questionable attributes on proceedings.
Indeed his cupping of the ears to the Coventry players when Hojlund landed that final cruel blow, only added to the feelings of unease.
Read Neil Custis’ full view on United’s Wembley shambles here.
For more from Neil Custis click here.