LONDON – Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag believes that his side’s FA Cup semi-final clash against Coventry City on April 21 would be a huge challenge, as they seek to reach a second successive final which could go a long way in salvaging a disappointing season.
The Red Devils meet Championship side Coventry at Wembley after beating arch-rivals Liverpool 4-3 in a thrilling quarter-final that went to extra time.
That memorable game at Old Trafford, however, was one of United’s few positive results amid numerous poor ones that have left the squad seventh in the English Premier League standings.
“Obviously, we want to win every game,” ten Hag said on April 19.
“When we don’t win we are disappointed, we are frustrated, but we know also we can beat the best teams. And when we play to our levels, we can achieve really high highs.”
A victory against Coventry would set up a final against the winners of the April 20 clash between Manchester City and Chelsea – the result of which was unavailable at press time. City edged United 2-1 in last season’s final.
“Last season was last season. We want to achieve every season, we want to win trophies, and we have a big opportunity because we are in a semi-final but it’s a huge challenge,” added ten Hag, whose job security has been the subject of speculation this season.
“We know all the problems and always when you have so many problems you have to find solutions, so on Sunday we will find solutions and we want to go into the final.”
The United boss expects to have winger Antony and midfielder Scott McTominay back from injury, and is hopeful about defender Harry Maguire.
“We have some problems. Harry had a small injury so he hasn’t trained so far this week, but now he is back on the pitch,” he said. “He will be available for Sunday, I hope.”
Off the pitch, ten Hag also claimed that United’s squad are not fractured after revealing that Alejandro Garnacho has apologised for liking social media posts criticising his handling of the forward.
The Argentinian gave “likes” to a pair of messages on X that slammed the manager’s decision to substitute him at half-time during last weekend’s 2-2 draw at Bournemouth.
The 19-year-old quickly unliked both posts and has now said sorry to ten Hag, who said Garnacho would remain involved for the FA Cup semi-final.
Quizzed on whether the Garnacho incident was evidence of player unrest, ten Hag said: “I wouldn’t point to that. Alejandro is a young player, has to learn a lot. He apologised for it and after that we move on.”
United have started planning for next season when it was announced later on April 19 that Jason Wilcox has left second-tier Southampton to become the new technical director at Old Trafford with immediate effect.
The 53-year-old joined Southampton last summer as their director of football, making the switch from City where he developed a reputation for nurturing young talent as well as recruiting some of the best prospects.
While the focus is on United, lowly Coventry will fade into the background but the Red Devils will be familiar with their manager Mark Robins, a former player whose goal helped launch United’s era of dominance.
The 54-year-old scored against Nottingham Forest in the third round of the FA Cup in 1990, a goal that turned out to be a turning point in the history of United and was widely credited with saving Alex Ferguson’s job.
The former forward, who came through the youth ranks at Old Trafford, has a special place in the hearts of the club’s fans.
Robins believes United’s problems are overblown and they remain “the biggest club in the world”.
“You’re talking about a team that are full of talented players, top international players,” he said.
“We know they are clearly favourites to win this game, by a million miles, simple as that.” REUTERS, AFP
