Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag comes out fighting after Nottingham Forest win - 'We are consistent'

Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag comes out fighting after Nottingham Forest win - 'We are consistent'

WATCH NOW: Sports round-up as Manchester United beat Nottingham Forest in FA Cup clash

Jack Otway

By Jack Otway


Published: 28/02/2024

- 22:06

Updated: 28/02/2024

- 22:21

The Dutchman was delighted after his side's 1-0 victory at the City Ground

Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has blasted back at critics of his side following their 1-0 FA Cup win over Nottingham Forest on Wednesday night.

Casemiro netted the only goal of the game, with the Brazil international heading home in the 89th minute after a dangerous free kick from Bruno Fernandes.


It was a huge win for United, who are now through to the quarter-finals of the FA Cup.

It was especially vital given how poor they were in their 2-1 defeat to Fulham over the weekend.

Manchester United Erik ten Hag Nottingham Forest

Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has blasted back at critics after his side's 1-0 win to Nottingham Forest

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And Ten Hag has now come out fighting while speaking to the BBC, pointing to the fact his side have lost just once this calendar year while also hitting back at suggestions they're not consistent.

“It’s the best time to score at the end. On Saturday we felt a defeat in stoppage time [against Fulham]," he said.

"We scored in the right moment. In the second half after five or six minutes we found the game.

"Then we were continually in ther half and took control of the game. Before that we had to make some changes. The routines fell away.

"We had chances but we allowed them to create some chances. We should avoid that.

"Every win is important. We take it 24 hours and then we move on.

"Fantastic games coming up. This team, what they showed today, that’s great.

"They have to show it every game. I’ve seen it the last couple of months, not on Saturday.

"We found the way to win.

"We were consistent. We lost one time in 2024. We are consistent.

"It’s not so easy when you have the whole backline and we have to shuffle and play players in different positions. I’m very proud we did it."

Defender Victor Lindelof also spoke out.

And the Sweden international lavished praise on Casemiro, suggesting the veteran remains a key player at Old Trafford in the process.

"We are very happy. We knew it was going to be a tough game. Always nice to score a late goal and go into next round," he said.

"Casemiro is very good at the timing of everything. He’s a clever player.

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Casemiro Manchester United

Casemiro popped up with the winner as Manchester United beat Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup

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"He’s done that a couple of times in his career. It was a perfect ball from Bruno Fernandes and a perfect execution from Casemiro.

"We have a nice couple of games coming up. We have to focus one game at a time."

Former United star Wayne Rooney, meanwhile, feels Ten Hag will get time despite the club's topsy-turvy campaign so far.

"It is a massive victory, and not the best of games. Both sides missed good chances but that's a big win for Manchester United," he said.

"You want big players to have big moments and Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro combined at the end.

Manchester United Nottingham Forest

Manchester United star Victor Lindelof has lavished praise on Casemiro after his side's 1-0 FA Cup win over Nottingham Forest

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"A lot is made about Erik ten Hag's position but he has been doing OK. We are starting to see more consistency and I think he will get time."

He added: "United lose one game and it's a crisis - I've seen that, I've been there.

"But tonight was a good win and a good reaction from the Fulham game.

"The derby is a big challenge coming up, Manchester City are a fantastic team and it's a big challenge."

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