Ten Hag’s meltdown as he blasts his critics
ERIK TEN HAG came out swinging yesterday, branding his critics a ‘disgrace’ over the backlash from Manchester United’s epic FA Cup semi-final win over Coventry City. United were castigated for blowing a three-goal lead in the final 20 minutes against the Championship underdogs on Sunday before scraping through to the final on penalties. Having denied United’s collapse was ‘embarrassing’ in his post-match press conference at Wembley, Ten Hag doubled down ahead of tonight’s Premier League clash with Sheffield United as he rounded on his detractors. Asked if he understood the reaction, the United boss said: ‘Absolutely not. You (asked) the question, “Is it embarrassing?” No, the reaction from you was embarrassing. The comments are a disgrace. ‘Top football is about results. We made it to a final and we deserved it, not only by this game but also the other games. We lost control for 20 minutes, we also had bad luck for 3-2 and 3-3. We were very lucky in the end, clear. ‘We were not happy with it. 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 in the FA Cup final again. Even for Manchester
United, it is not business as usual. they were not so often in the Fa Cup final. the penalties were very good and we made it to the final.
‘it is a huge achievement. twice in two years is magnificent. For me as a manager, five cup finals in four years.’
United winger antony was also widely criticised for taunting the Coventry players by cupping his hands to his ears after United had won the shootout. however, the Brazil winger claimed on social media yesterday that he had been provoked by the Coventry players celebrating towards United fans.
‘ Coventry proved why they reached the semi- final,’ said antony. ‘We (sought) this spot in the final for our fans and we achieved it. the way our fans were treated by their player was not nice and, in the heat of the moment, i’ve reacted to the provocations in a natural defence of my club.’
ten hag supported antony but admitted his £86million signing would have been better off behaving magnanimously like centre back harry maguire and other team-mates.
‘he was (provoked), that’s why there was a reaction,’ said ten hag. ‘ You haven’t seen the provocation, only the reaction. But he should not do it.
‘Did you see the reaction of harry maguire? i have seen harry maguire straight after and others. We should acknowledge the performance of Coventry and the comeback.’
meanwhile, ten hag welcomed the prospect of working in tandem with United’s new technical director Jason Wilcox, despite increasing uncertainty over his future at old trafford.
‘i am looking forward to our partnership. We are a little behind so we will speed up the process,’ said ten hag, who fears marcus rashford and scott McTominay will join a growing injury list as he prepares to face the Premier League’s bottom two clubs — sheffield United and Burnley — at home in the next four days.