Man Utd boss Erik ten Hag slams players for 'lack of discipline' after nervy FA Cup win over Coventry

Man Utd boss Erik ten Hag slams players for 'lack of discipline' after nervy FA Cup win over Coventry

WATCH NOW: Sports round-up as Man Utd beat Coventry to reach FA Cup final

Jack Otway

By Jack Otway


Published: 21/04/2024

- 19:13

Updated: 21/04/2024

- 19:23

The Red Devils battled their way through to the final on Sunday

Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has spoken out after his side's nervy FA Cup win over Coventry on Sunday, accusing his players of a 'lack of discipline'.

The Red Devils seemed to be cruising to victory after goals from Scott McTominay, Harry Maguire and Bruno Fernandes had given them a 3-0 lead.


But Coventry then mounted a memorable comeback, with Ellis Simms, Callum O'Hare and Haji Wright all netting to force extra-time.

Casemiro stepped up first, with the former Real Madrid star fluffing his lines - with Bradley Collins able to deny him.

Man Utd news Erik ten Hag

Man Utd news: Erik ten Hag has reacted after his side's nervy FA Cup win over Coventry on Sunday

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But misses from Ben Sheaf and Callum O'Hare sent United through to their second FA Cup final in a row, with Rasmus Hojlund keeping his cool from 12 yards to win the game.

Ten Hag has been asked about the mentality of his players following the fixture at Wembley, with the implosion of the Red Devils alarming.

Yet while the Dutchman insists his side showed 'character' by going on to beat Coventry, he did admit they suffered from a 'lack of discipline' towards the end of normal time.

"It was an incredible game, a strange game too," he admitted.

"We had total control for so long and then gave it away in the last part of the game. We did show resilience to win the penalty shootout.

"We had control for 75 minutes and have to give Coventry a compliment for what they did in the last 15 minutes.

"We have to improve. We talk a lot about this. First you have to put yourself in a winning position but then you have to take it over the line.

"In these moments we are making mistakes and not keeping our responsibilities."

On whether there is a problem with mentality, he added: "We can't say this group doesn't have the right mentality because they showed character today, but in the final part there was a lack of discipline.

"We have to keep the ball, keep making passes, go for goal and then also be strong in defence.

"It's about communication and we have to improve on this."

Ten Hag huddled his players together before the shootout.

And the Dutchman has opened up on what he told his stars, while also defending Casemiro for his woeful miss after the Brazil international had offered to take the first spot-kick.

"It was about mentality in that moment," added the former Ajax boss.

"You have a plan and have full confidence so I told them to stick to the plan.

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Man Utd news Casemiro Coventry

Man Utd news: Erik ten Hag has defended Casemiro after his penalty miss in the FA Cup against Coventry

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"I had confidence we would win the shootout. Normally Casemiro scores, we train them very well.

"It's mixed feelings [on going through to the final]. We can be happy with the achievement, getting to the final, that's huge.

"Even the big Manchester United only achieved it three times and we achieved it twice in two years.

"We need to win that final though. When we are 100 per cent in it then we can do it.

"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.

Man Utd news Andre Onana Rasmus Hojlund Coventry

Man Utd news: Andre Onana, Rasmus Hojlund and Christian Eriksen celebrate after crucial FA Cup win over Coventry

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"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."

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