Erik ten Hag: It is a ‘huge achievement to reach two FA Cup finals in two years’

Facing the press inside Wembley Stadium after his side progressed to the final of the 2023/24 FA Cup, following a dramatic 4-3 penalty shootout victory over Coventry City, Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag addressed several questions regarding the manner of his side’s win.

‘[It’s a] huge achievement to reach two FA Cup finals in two years. I also see the flip side [referring to the method of victory after leading 3-0 after 58 minutes] – but two times in two years we are in the FA Cup [final].’

Dealing with media reports that his job could come to a conclusion at the end of the season with United currently underperforming in the Premier League, as well as failing to get out of the group stage of this season’s UEFA Champions League campaign, Erik ten Hag preferred to address his side’s performance – instead of commenting on his own future.

‘[We showed] good character, but from the 70th minute to the end, we made mistakes that should not have happened. We can play at very high levels but can also go to very low levels in games. There are mixed feelings in the dressing room, disappointed to allow the opponent [a chance to come back into the game], but also compliments towards Coventry.’

United will now meet defending champions, and fierce local rivals Manchester City in a carbon copy of last year’s final – in which Pep Guardiola’s side emerged as 2-1 winners courtesy of a brace from the now-departed İlkay Gündoğan – following the Citizens’ 1-0 victory over Chelsea in Saturday’s other semi-final.