Erik ten Hag says he respects the opinion of Manchester United fans calling for him to be sacked but has reminded them of the team’s success during his tenure.
The Premier League heavyweights resorted to penalty kicks to overcome a surprising rally from Championship team Coventry in the FA Cup semi-finals.
United, leading comfortably at 3-0, allowed three goals in the last 20 minutes, forcing them into extra time against a team that sits 21 spots below them in the English football hierarchy.
Although Manchester United advanced to consecutive FA Cup finals, many fans were more worried than happy about the win against Coventry and what it implies about Ten Hag’s leadership.
Erik Ten Hag took the reins at United before the 2022-23 season, and the team had a strong first year with him, securing third place in the Premier League and claiming the EFL Cup under the Dutch manager’s guidance.
Liverpool icon Jamie Carragher thinks the faltering semi-final showing could lead to Ten Hag losing his position, and many of the club’s supporters concur.
Asked about the supporters who want him out of Old Trafford, Ten Hag told beIN SPORTS: ‘They can have their opinion.
‘But I would say, in the decade when Man United were very successful, they only achieved the FA Cup final three times and now we have done it two times in two seasons. We are in there and that’s a huge performance.’
Asked if winning the FA Cup was necessary for Manchester United to deem their season successful Erik Ten Hag added: ‘I want to win it.
‘I’m sure we have a good chance to win this final, although we play the best team in the world. We do have a chance though. We showed that this season.
‘This season has had many ups but also many downs. Winning the FA Cup doesn’t make it successful, we want to win more.
‘We have been in three finals in two years, which is good, but we had a lot of setbacks this season.
‘We’ve had a lot of injuries and hopefully those players can be back for the final. If we go with a squad who believe then we have a chance to win a trophy.’
Manchester City, led by Pep Guardiola and aiming for a domestic double as well as their fourth consecutive Premier League title, will face Manchester United in the FA Cup final.