Manchester United secured their spot in the FA Cup final after narrowly defeating Coventry in a tense semifinal showdown that went to penalties. Despite initially holding a commanding 3-0 lead, United found themselves on the back foot as Coventry fought back, nearly snatching victory in the dying moments of extra time.
Manager Erik ten Hag has criticized the media's reaction to the match, labeling certain comments as "embarrassing" and a "disgrace."
Ten Hag defended his team's performance, emphasizing that reaching the FA Cup final should be celebrated as a significant achievement. He expressed frustration at the criticism directed towards the team, particularly from former United captain Roy Keane and pundits Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher.
Despite the scrutiny, Ten Hag highlighted the resilience shown by his players and stressed the importance of focusing on results.
The match was not without controversy, as United player Antony faced criticism for his reaction towards Coventry players during the penalty shootout. Ten Hag acknowledged Antony's wrongdoing but suggested that the player was provoked.
In addition to addressing the media reaction, Ten Hag provided updates on the team's injury concerns ahead of their upcoming Premier League fixture against Sheffield United. Marcus Rashford and Scott McTominay are doubtful for the match due to fitness issues, while Alejandro Garnacho is expected to be available despite being substituted in the FA Cup semifinal.
Looking ahead, United faces a challenging fixture list as they aim to secure a top-four finish in the Premier League and compete in the FA Cup final against Manchester City. With the support of their new technical director, Jason Wilcox, Ten Hag is determined to guide United to success in the remaining fixtures of the season.
