Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag admitted his team had “run away” to reach the FA Cup final.
But he denied the manner in which the Championship side won on penalties against Coventry was embarrassing.
United led 3-0 and were well on their way with 20 minutes left.
Not for the first time in recent weeks, they conspired to relinquish a winning position and were eventually taken to extra time, where Victor Tope's last-gasp shot was captured by video assistant referee Peter Banks. They only avoided defeat when they were ruled out for offside.
united won in the end Regarding penalties. But after squandering a stoppage-time lead in the Premier League to draw with Brentford and lose to Chelsea, it was another day with more questions than answers about Ten Hag and his players. Ta.
“We can play at a very high level, but we can also go to a very low level in the same match,” Ten Hag said. “That’s inexplicable.
“Obviously we have to teach our players. We have to do better in these situations. We let each other down a few times, but we pulled through today.”
Brazilian wideman Anthony, replaced by Alejandro Garnacho, had a Coventry fan cover his ears in the closing stages, despite United leading 3-0.
However, it was noticeable that Coventry's players stayed on the pitch longer to receive admiration from the fans at the end, as United made their way to the dressing room rather sheepishly.
Ten Hag rejected the idea that the day was an embarrassment for the team he spent so much money on, saying the near-capitulation should be used to judge his tenure as manager. He said no.
“That's crazy,” he said. “You need tools to manage this. We don't have many tools because we have a lot of injuries. We don't even have a back four that is in the best position.”
“After all, it's a feat to reach the finals two years in a row. The mistakes we make are visible, but not embarrassing.”
“I'm looking for leadership” “I'm lucky to win”
Not everyone agrees with Ten Hag, with Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher believing United's players will be embarrassed.
“Mark Robins famously kept on as Manchester United manager,” he said. “I think the Manchester United manager has lost his job today. I don't know how he will stay here. The dressing room must be the most embarrassing place after winning a game.”
Even more important are the thoughts of co-owners Joel and Abram Glazer, Sir Jim Ratcliffe and new technical director Jason Wilcox, all of whom will be watching the action in the Royal Box. Ta.
Like former captain Roy Keane, they must have noticed the collective reaction of the players after Rasmus Hjølund converted the winning penalty.
“I can't believe what I'm seeing,” Keene told ITV. “You're looking for leadership, and it doesn't exist.
“Manchester United players and supporters didn't go too far just because they were lucky to win.
“Coventry looked like a Premier League team and Manchester United looked like a Championship team. This only puts more pressure on the manager.”
United are 16 points behind fourth-placed Aston Villa in qualifying for next season's Champions League, so whether United will win the FA Cup depends on Ten Hag and their current third place. It could be the key to deciding whether you get a chance to win or not. This is the final year of the contract he signed when he moved to the club from Ajax in 2022.
Former Red Devils full-back Gary Neville said Sunday's victory did not reflect well on the Dutchman and his team.
But he also knows the value of winning tournaments. And no matter how that is achieved, victory in a repeat of last season's final against Manchester City would be a huge high, given the strength of the opposition.
“They were spared an absolute blow for four or five weeks,” Neville told Sky Sports.
“They might get it for a few days, but not for a few weeks. It's been a period of uncertainty and turbulence for Manchester United as the new owners have wiped out all of the club's top talent.” It's been a few months.”
“But you can't underestimate winning a trophy. They won a trophy last season.” [the EFL Cup] If they win the FA Cup it will be very difficult to sack him. ”