DISPLAY AGAINST BLADES TONIGHT TO RESTORE SOME PRIDE
WOLVES v BOURNEMOUTH ERIK UNWISE TO BIG UP HOLLOW VICTORY ANDERSON
resurfacing on social media in the wake of United’s implosion against Coventry.
“It was a disgrace of a performance. Our standards have been set long ago. No way can we take any glory from that.”
Had Ten Hag adopted a similar approach on Sunday, after United managed to scrape past the Championship’s eighth-placed team, acknowledging his side’s failings and admitting such a collapse was embarrassing, he would have emerged f with more credit.
Lamenting
Even United fans — whose end at Wembley emptied swiftly after their team’s narrow win — were lamenting their side’s humiliating display.
Ten Hag branded the negative reaction to United’s shoot-out win “a disgrace”, burying his head further in the sand when it was put to him that many of his own supporters shared that view.
“I’m not sure if they said this,” said Ten Hag. “I haven’t heard it from them.
“I have also heard other comments from fans who are very happy that they are twice in the FA Cup final in
OVER THE TOP: Erik ten Hag celebrates on Sunday but would Alex Ferguson (left) have? which maybe give them an opportunity to be involved,” O’Neil said.
Shape
“We’re going to look at them again (on Wednesday) because it’s an evening game, so we have all day to make sure people are in good shape.” two years.
“We were not happy with it (losing a 3-0 lead so easily). I can see the fans are not happy with it as well, but they get fed by opinions.
“But all over, what I heard is that the fans are very happy we are again in the FA Cup final.
“Even for Manchester United, it is not business as usual — they were not so often in the FA Cup final and they were never in the FA Cup final twice in-a-row.”
Ten Hag even got that wrong — United reached the FA Cup final in 1957 and 1958, 1976 and 1977, and three years in a row, from 1994 to 1996.
Tonight, United have the chance to atone somewhat for Sunday, when they host the Premier League’s bottom club, Sheffield United.
With United 16 points behind fourth-placed Aston
Villa, a Champions League spot has all but gone, with a European place (right)
A SOLID SEASON: Wolves welcome the Cherries to Molineux also now in jeopardy as West Ham and Chelsea are breathing down their necks.
One win in their last seven Premier League games is a damning indictment of Ten Hag’s United.
United, who sneaked past the Blades in the reverse fixture in October, winning 2-1, have failed to win any of their last five matches.
Makeshift
The Dutchman lost more key players in the build-up to the trip to the capital last weekend, meaning he was forced to deploy Casemiro as a makeshift centre-back.
The Brazilian midfielder could start there again against the Blades, as Ten Hag battles against yet more concerns.
As far as the back four is concerned, a lack of options means United could start with the same quartet that lined up against the Sky Blues, meaning Casemiro could partner Harry Maguire in defence again.
Willy Kambwala joined Raphael Varane, Lisandro Martinez, Victor Lindelof and Jonny Evans on the sidelines in the build-up to the trip to Wembley.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Diogo Dalot should once again occupy the full-back berths amid the lack of options to make any alterations. Dalot started on the right and WanBissaka the left at Wembley.
Scott McTominay, who scored the opening goal against Coventry, is doubtful for the visit of the Blades.
Sofyan Amrabat and Mason Mount are poised to be unavailable again, meaning Christian Eriksen could bag his first start since the 2-2 draw with Tottenham Hotspur on January 14.
Kobbie Mainoo and Bruno Fernandes, who is nursing a hand injury, should join forces with the Dane in the engine room, with Ten Hag hopeful Fernandes will be fit.
As for the front three, Marcus Rashford is a doubt after being forced off in the latter stages at Wembley.
He was later spotted walking gingerly through the mixed zone.
CHRIS Wilder has told his Sheffield United players to learn from ex-Blade Harry Maguire’s cast-iron mentality.
The Blades will face Maguire at Old Trafford tonight and the centre-half has turned his career around to re-establish himself at the heart of Manchester United’s defence after Erik ten Hag tried to sell him to West Ham.
Wilder (inset) feels Maguire’s character is a lesson to his Blades players after he questioned their leadership and accused some of wanting to leave the pitch early following Saturday’s 4-1 loss to Burnley.
The Blades are 10 points from safety with games running out and boss Wilder said: “Harry’s been dug out so many times, it’s unbelievable.
“But he keeps coming through it and he’s mentally strong and you have to be mentally strong.
Strong
“You have to be physically strong too, but most important is that mentality, especially at Bramall Lane. You can’t go under. If one goes under, you’re playing with 10. If two go under, you’re playing with nine. The game’s hard enough, 11 v 11. “It’s even tougher when you’re playing in the Premier League and we can’t afford to carry anyone or have passengers.”
Maguire (31) made 166 appearances for his hometown club before leaving in 2014 for Hull and Wilder has huge respect for him.
“We’ve all seen his progression and we’re delighted for him,” he said. “He hasn’t had it easy. When you move to a club like Man U, there are a lot of advantages, but also an awful lot of pressure put on you.
“He’s a humble guy, he’s worked hard to get where he is. We have a boy from just down the road who’s right in the middle of it all for club and country.
“We’ll have a shake of a hand after, but before that, it’s game on and he understands that.”