Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has come out fighting as his side continued to be hammered for their performance against Coventry, as he prepares them to face rock-bottom Sheffield United
Manchester United are hoping to bounce back from their miserable performance against Coventry when they face rock-bottom Sheffield United on Wednesday.
United threw away a three-goal lead against the Championship Sky Blues in their FA Cup semi-final on Sunday. They ultimately progressed into the final on penalties, with a wave of criticism coming their way in the days since.
Boss Erik ten Hag has now come out fighting, branding that criticism a ‘disgrace’. He launched an extraordinary rant in his press conference previewing the clash with the Blades.
That rant comes as he also backed Antony after the attacker was spotted cupping his ears to the Coventry squad, in a move that has been widely ridiculed. Here, Mirror Football rounds up the latest Manchester United news.
Ten Hag fires back at critics
Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag gas branded criticism of his side “a disgrace”. The Red Devils have been widely slammed after they scraped past Championship side Coventry to reach the FA Cup final.
“You made enough and one of the questions was ‘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,” he said.
“We lost control for 20 minutes, we also had bad luck, when it went 3-2 and then 3-3. We were very lucky in the end, 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.”
Read Ten Hag’s full thoughs on the criticism facing his team.
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Mourinho makes Ten Hag point
Jose Mourinho has insisted he did not receive the same kind of support Ten Hag currently has at Manchester United. Mourinho spent just over two years as United boss but was sacked in December 2018.
“My relationship with Ed Woodward was good,” Mourinho told The Telegraph. “Good as in the personal point of view. Even now we sent an SMS. But from a professional point of view, it was not the best.
“I am who I am. I am a football man. Ed comes from a different background and what Ten Hag has in his time at Manchester United I didn’t have. I didn’t have that level of support. I didn’t have that level of trust.”
Read Mourinho’s full thoughts on his time at United.
Antony backed over Coventry gesture
United star Antony has been backed by boss Ten Hag over his gesture towards Coventry players on Sunday. Antony cupped his hands to his ears in a move that has been widely ridiculed, though Ten Hag has insisted he was provoked.
“He was provoked, that’s why this was a reaction of that, you haven’t seen the provocation, only the reaction. But he should not do it. I have seen Harry Maguire straight after and others,” Ten Hag said.
“We should acknowledge the performance of Coventry coming to that final and the comeback we are 70 mins totally dominating the game by far and 3-0 must have been the game is closed but the return from their side was very good.”
Read Ten Hag’s full thoughts on Antony’s gesture.
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