Man United manager Erik ten Hag slams his critics as 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 hit back at his critics, labelling them as a ‘disgrace’ following Manchester United’s progression to a second-successive FA Cup final.

The Red Devils scraped by Championship outfit Coventry City on penalties in Sunday’s semi-final to set up a showdown with Manchester City on May 25 at Wembley.

However, despite the victory, the manner of the performance was cause for concern for United – with Ten Hag’s side blowing a 3-0 lead with 20 minutes remaining.

The collapse led to many, such as United legend Roy Keane, being highly critical of the Old Trafford outfit – with Ten Hag hitting back on Tuesday and citing the fact he has now reached four-straight domestic cup finals (two KNVB Cups with Ajax and two FA Cups with United).

Asked about his views on reaction to their win, the Dutchman said: ‘No, the reaction from you [the media] 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. 

‘We lost control for 20 minutes, we also had bad luck, 3-2, 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 final in four years. The comments are a disgrace.’

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

‘Some of the United players and supporters weren’t going over the top with the celebrations.’ He said on ITV. ‘They were almost embarrassed to win at the end. 

‘Whenever I see this United team I don’t like what I see. Talk about leadership and characters, I don’t see that in this United team. My goodness, they rode their luck today.

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

He singled out players for showing a lack of character and said goalkeeper Andre Onana needed to display more ‘courage’. 

‘You always say you need a bit of luck. Maguire said they showed good character, I don’t see character in this group of players,’ he said. ‘I’m looking at the goalkeeper, wasting time. Just get on with the game. Show some courage.’

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

‘It’s getting to the stage that I’m almost disliking them,’ he went on. ‘I see a group with bad habits, they were almost frightened to win the game.

‘There’s 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 side.”

‘Huge problems for Man United going forward but they got the job done.’