Erik ten Hag says Manchester United will have “over-performed” if they win the FA Cup this season.
Ten Hag bristled at criticism of United’s penalty shoot-out win over Coventry City in the semis on Sunday despite the Championship club hitting back from 3-0 down with 20 minutes to go and almost winning it late in extra-time only to be denied by a marginal offside call.
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The Dutchman labelled media criticism of his team’s performance as “embarrassing” and insisted they deserved more credit for reaching the final, where they will face Manchester City.
It has not been plain sailing for Ten Hag this season with Jim Ratcliffe’s minority buy out of the Glazers dominating the agenda before Christmas while his squad has been decimated by injuries.
With that in mind, he claims a win at Wembley on May 25 would be a significant achievement.
He said: “I would say it’s over-over-performing with all the problems we have had.
“Getting into the final is already a big achievement, but we are here for trophies. We have an opportunity to win a trophy and that is good. But we are not satisfied by being in the final, we want to win it and that is what we will go for and it’s our mentality.”
United also got to the FA Cup final last season, where they were beaten 2-1 by City, continuing Ten Hag’s strong personal record in cup competitions.
“That’s why I am successful over 10 years as a manager,” he added, “I always bring out the maximum of each squad.”
United are seventh in the Premier League and take on rock-bottom Sheffield United at Old Trafford tonight.
