Manchester United may have reached the FA Cup final, but their performance against Coventry City has left a bitter taste. Despite leading 3-0 with just 20 minutes remaining, they capitulated and needed a penalty shootout to progress.
This collapse has raised questions about Erik ten Hag’s tactics and the team’s mentality. United have now conceded 11 goals beyond the 75th minute since February, including against Brentford, Chelsea, Liverpool, and Coventry.
Club legend Roy Keane was particularly critical of Harry Maguire’s post-match comments about the team showing ‘great character.’ Keane argued that the players lack character and have developed bad habits, suggesting that they are almost ‘frightened’ to win.
United’s recent form has been concerning. They have not won a match in 90 minutes in their last six games and have squandered leads in four of those matches. This inconsistency and inability to close out games have led to widespread criticism.
While Maguire may point to instances where United have shown character, such as against Wolves and Aston Villa, their overall performance suggests that they rely too heavily on moments and lack the consistency required to be successful.
