Man United manager Erik Ten Hag calls his critics a ‘disgrace’ for ’embarrassing’ questioning of their FA Cup struggle against Coventry – and defends his ‘four out of four’ cup record.

Erik ten Hag has branded his criticism a “disgrace” following the backlash to Sunday’s FA Cup semi-final against Coventry City at Wembley.

United were three goals ahead against the Championship underdogs with less than 20 minutes of normal time remaining, but drew 3-3 and needed extra time and penalties to book a place in the final against Manchester City for the second consecutive season. .

After denying United’s capitulation was “embarrassing” in his post-match press conference, Ten Hag doubled down ahead of Wednesday night’s Premier League clash with Sheffield United as he lashed out to his detractors.

Asked if he understood the reaction following Sunday’s epic encounter, the United boss replied: “Absolutely not. You (asked) the question: ‘is it embarrassing?’ No, your reaction was embarrassing These are the comments.

“Top level football is about results. We reached the final and we deserved it not only for this match but also for the other matches. We lost control for 20 minutes, we also had bad luck, 3-2, 3-3. We were very lucky in the end, that’s clear.

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Most of the United team celebrated in silence after surviving the scare.

“The penalties were very good and we reached the final, it’s a huge achievement. Twice in two years is magnificent. For me as a coach, four cup finals in four years, two KNVB Cups with Ajax and two FA Cups with United). The comments are a shame.

It was by no means the first time this season that United had let a sizable lead slip away, having struggled in games against Copenhagen, Galatasaray, Wolves and Chelsea.

Ten Hag added; “First of all, the most important thing we can do is put ourselves in a position to win through good structure, and we’ve seen that many times, but to take the game beyond the finishing line.

“Some things have to do with mentality, we don’t have the tools either, we have a back four and have to compromise and be really creative, but we also can’t replace the players there.

“What you need is a complete team and you can take your messages aside, fix things. It’s about mentality and reading the game, and an opponent takes more risks. We need to improve it, but we need a full team to fix this.

Ten Hag’s staunch defense of his record comes after Keane’s scathing criticism of the club on Sunday while working as a pundit for ITV Sport.

“Some United players and supporters didn’t go overboard with the celebrations.” » He said on ITV. “They were almost embarrassed to win in the end.

“Every time I see this United team I don’t like what I see. Talk about leadership and character, I don’t see that in this United team. My God, they were lucky today today.

“We have the same conversation every week with Man United, you don’t know what you’re going to get.”

Ten Hag were quick to point out that they had reached a domestic cup final for the fourth consecutive season.

He singled out players for their lack of character and said goalkeeper Andre Onana needed to show more “courage”.

“You always say you need a little luck. Maguire said they showed good character, I don’t see any character in this group of players,” he said. “I look at the goalkeeper, I waste time. Just continue the game. Show courage.

He added that it was Coventry who looked like the Premier League team and United the Championship team.

“It’s getting to the point where I almost hate them,” he continued. “I see a group with bad habits, they were almost afraid of winning the match.

“There are huge problems for Manchester United going forward, but they got the job done.

“In extra time, Coventry looked like a Premier League team and Manchester United looked like a Championship team.”

“Huge problems for Man United going forward, but they got the job done.”