Erik ten Hag wants more from his Manchester United players. The Red Devils were leading 3-0 after 70 minutes, but three quick goals from Coventry set up extra-time and then a shoot-out, where Rasmus Hojlund sealed United’s place in the final. United had put in a professional performance for just over an hour, but let Coventry back into the game through goals from Ellis Simms, Callum O’Hare, and Haji Wright. Mark Robins’ side thought they had won the semi-final when Wright scored in the 122nd minute, only to be ruled out by VAR for offside.
Ten Hag praised United’s opponents but was far from happy with his side’s collapse after amassing an almost unassailable lead, urging them to improve to have any chance at silverware against rivals Manchester City in the final. “We had control for 75 minutes and have to give Coventry a compliment for what they did in the last 15 minutes,” Ten Hag told ITV. “We have to improve. We talk a lot about this.
First you have to put yourself in a winning position but then you have to take it over the line. In these moments we are making mistakes and not keeping our responsibilities.” “We can’t say this group doesn’t have the right mentality because they showed character today, but in the final part there was a lack of discipline. We have to keep the ball, keep making passes, go for goal and then also be strong in defence.
It’s about communication and we have to improve on this.” “It’s mixed feelings. We can be happy with the achievement, getting to the final, that’s huge. Even the big Manchester United only achieved it three times and we achieved it twice in two years.
We need to win that final though.” United’s celebrations were fairly muted, with the team seemingly aware that the performance after Coventry scored their first goal was far below the required standards, despite a depleted backline with only Harry Maguire available as a first-team centre-back. Casemiro dropped into the back four, with Diogo Dalot and Aaron Wan-Bissaka either side, as the defence struggled to keep Coventry at bay and Ten Hag is aware that improvement is necessary to finish the season with silverware. Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners.
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