Erik ten Hag dismissed the notion that Manchester United have a mentality problem after squeaking past Coventry City on penalties in the FA Cup.
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Man Utd beat Coventry on penaltiesThrew away 3-0 lead as game ended 3-3Ten Hag not concerned about side's mentalityWHAT HAPPENED?
United looked to be cruising into the FA Cup final after goals from Scott McTominay, Harry Maguire, and Bruno Fernandes, only for Ellis Simms, Callum O'Hare and Haji Wright to send the game into extra-time in remarkable fashion. The Red Devils eventually won the spotkicks 4-2 but their frailties were plain to see yet again. Despite the unconvincing victory, Ten Hag said his team's issue was a lack of discipline rather than a mentality problem.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesWHAT ERIK TEN HAG SAID
He told ITV1: "It was an incredible game, a strange game too. 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 his side's mentality, the Dutchman replied: "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."
THE BIGGER PICTURE
While United set up a repeat of the 2023 FA Cup final with Manchester City, they once again flattered to deceive and had it not been for Andre Onana's encouraging display in goal, Ten Hag's future at Old Trafford would have looked even more precarious. United seem to be going backwards in comparison to last season and the former Ajax boss is struggling to arrest that decline.
Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT?
United, who have six games left of the Premier League on top of their FA Cup final with rivals City, host bottom of the table Sheffield United at Old Trafford on Wednesday before facing 19th-placed Burnley four days later.
