Erik ten Hag: Criticism of Manchester United 'embarrassing' and a 'disgrace'
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag doesn't sound like a guy whose club nearly threw away a 3-0 lead and an FA Cup final berth to a second-tier side, nor one who will be an underdog in the final.
[ WHAT WE LEARNED: Man Utd overcome Coventry in penalties ]
He is fighting back and hit out at journalists on Tuesday who asked him if United's penalty kick win against Coventry City was 'embarrassing' as he labelled that type of criticism a 'disgrace' as ETH came out swinging.
Ten Hag isn't necessarily worried about his team's mentality or character following the 3-3 semifinal with Coventry City at Wembley Stadium, a game that saw a stoppage-time penalty for the Sky Blues in regulation and a VAR-overturned goal deep in the second period of extra time before United won 4-2 in penalties.
What did Erik ten Hag say?
There is currently discussion all over regarding how a Manchester United team could fall apart so famously at Wembley, and if Erik ten Hag can survive this stretch with his job.
Ten Hag certainly doesn't seem to be planning on leaving United anytime soon.
"No. Absolutely not," Erik ten Hag said when asked if he could understand the negative reaction to United's penalty kick win against Coventry City.
He then said to the BBC's Simon Stone: "You asked the question: 'is it embarrassing?' No, the reaction from you was embarrassing. It is the comments. 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, 3-2, 3-3. We were very lucky in the end, it is clear. Penalties was 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, four cup finals in four years... The comments are a disgrace."
The Dutch coach then added the following on United's targets for the rest of the season, as they sit in seventh place in the Premier League table: "We have to win every game. That's what United stands for, that is our approach, go from game to game but we have to qualify for Europe and we have two opportunities in the league and the FA Cup final."
Bruno Fernandes disappointed in Manchester United despite reaching final
"We put ourselves in a difficult position and should have killed it earlier but we didn't," Fernandes said. "We have to do so much better."
Fernandes was then asked if the Red Devils need the FA Cup for this season to be a success and he did not settle for an easy out comment.
"We'll never be successful if we win [only] the FA Cup," Fernandes said. "The standard of this club is much higher than what we have been doing. We have to do better in the league, the League Cup, and in Europe."
