Ten Hag criticizes criticism from British media about difficult cup victory: ‘A shame’

NOS Football•yesterday, 2:44 PM

Ten Hag: ‘Your reactions are shameful’

Erik ten Hag qualified for the FA Cup final with Manchester United on Sunday for the second year in a row, but instead of praise, the Dutch manager and his team received a barrage of criticism. And Ten Hag is still angry about that two days later.

“A shame,” the former Ajax coach called the negative comments that appeared and heard in the English press during a press conference. “We reached the final and we deserved it. Not only because of this match, but also because of the other matches.”

The criticism from the press focused on the disgrace that superpower Manchester United only just managed to avert against Coventry City, a division lower player, which managed to overcome a 3-0 deficit in the last twenty minutes of regular playing time. .

United got away well in extra time when a Coventry goal was disallowed. The favorite still struck in the penalty shootout. This turn of events prompted one of the journalists present to ask Ten Hag whether it was “embarrassing”.

“Your reactions were shameful,” the exasperated coach returned the ball. “Football is about results. We lost control for twenty minutes. We were also unlucky, at 3-2 and 3-3. And in the end a lot of luck. But we reached the final. That is a huge achievement. Twice the final in two years is fantastic.”

Ten Hag was also clear about the objectives for the rest of the season. “We have to win every game. That is what United stands for. We are going from game to game, but we have to at least qualify for European football. We have two chances: through the league and the FA Cup final.”

The final battle, just like last year against city rival and cup holder Manchester City, is on May 25 at Wembley. It will be Ten Hag’s fourth cup final in as many seasons. In 2021 and 2022, Tukker reached the final of the KNVB Cup tournament with Ajax.