Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag is defending his team after criticism of their performance in the FA Cup semi-final against Coventry. Ten Hag said the criticism was a “disgrace” and that United deserved to reach the final on penalties. He also backed Antony after the attacker was spotted cupping his ears to the Coventry squad, a move that has been widely ridiculed. Former United boss Jose Mourinho has said that he did not have the same level of support from the club’s board as ten Hag currently enjoys.
Results for: FA Cup
Manchester United return to Premier League action against struggling Sheffield United, following their controversial FA Cup semi-final victory over Coventry City. The Red Devils’ focus now shifts to the league, where they aim to secure a top-four finish despite manager Erik ten Hag facing pressure. United are overwhelming favorites against Sheffield United, who sit bottom of the table with just 16 points and have conceded a staggering 88 goals this season.
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has robustly defended his team’s performance in the FA Cup semi-final against Coventry City, despite their shaky 3-0 lead and subsequent penalty shootout victory. Ten Hag has dismissed criticism from the media, labeling their reaction as “embarrassing” and a “disgrace.”
Erik ten Hag believes that Amad Diallo deserves more playing time at Manchester United, but he highlights the fierce competition for places in the club’s attacking midfield. Despite recovering from a knee injury in December, the Ivory Coast international has only made two Premier League starts this season, coming off the bench to score the winner against Liverpool in the FA Cup. Ten Hag acknowledges that Diallo has performed well in limited opportunities and praises his qualities, but he has had to prioritize other players like Antony, Alejandro Garnacho, and Omari Forson.
Chelsea’s dismal performance against Arsenal was encapsulated by a young fan’s sign, which read: ‘I don’t want your shirt! I want you to want to fight for ours.’ This sentiment reflects the frustration and disappointment felt by many Chelsea fans after their team’s 5-0 loss at the Emirates. Rio Ferdinand criticized the Chelsea players for their lack of effort and intensity, calling their performance ‘men against boys.’ The defeat extended Chelsea’s winless run in the Premier League to three games and left them 30 points behind leaders Arsenal.
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag believes that winning the FA Cup this season would be an overachievement for his team. Despite reaching the final, United have faced criticism for their performance in the semi-final, where they squandered a 3-0 lead against Coventry City. Ten Hag acknowledges the team’s injury struggles as a mitigating factor and remains optimistic about their chances against Manchester City in the final. However, he emphasizes that United’s goal is to win the trophy, despite their recent league struggles.
The Emirates FA Cup will undergo significant changes starting from the 2024/2025 season, with replays being scrapped and all rounds being played on weekends. The Premier League will provide increased financial support for grassroots football as part of the new agreement. The decision has drawn criticism from lower league clubs, who were not consulted in the process.
Manchester United aim to bounce back after surviving a scare against Coventry City in the FA Cup semi-final when they host Premier League strugglers Sheffield United.
Despite facing criticism for his behavior after Chelsea’s FA Cup exit, Noni Madueke has been named in Mauricio Pochettino’s starting lineup for the match against Arsenal. Former Blues star William Gallas had called for Madueke to be dropped from the squad after he was seen laughing and joking with Manchester City’s Jack Grealish following their semi-final win at Wembley. However, Pochettino has opted to give Madueke a third consecutive league start, despite the concerns raised by Gallas and others. The decision comes as Chelsea cope with the absence of top scorer Cole Palmer, who is out with illness. Madueke has been in and out of the team under Pochettino this season, but has scored in the FA Cup quarter-final against Leicester and the league draw with Sheffield United.
Chelsea Football Club is one of the most successful clubs in FA Cup history, with eight titles to their name. They sit behind Arsenal and Manchester United, who have 14 and 12 trophies, respectively. The London club enjoyed a particularly successful period in the competition in the late 1990s and 2000s, but have had much less success in recent years. The 2024 FA Cup saw Mauricio Pochettino’s men fall at the semi-final stage thanks to a 1-0 defeat to Manchester City, with Bernardo Silva’s late winner ensuring that the Blues once again would finish the season trophy-less.