'THE MOST HUMILIATING VICTORY I'VE SEEN FOR A LONG TIME'
The Telegraph's Luke Edwards says Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag looked like "somebody who knew the writing was on the wall" during the climax of Sunday's FA Cup semi-final.
United gave away a 3-0 lead against Championship side Coventry City before a marginal VAR offside call spared them a last-second defeat. They eventually triumphed on penalties.
"It's the most humiliating victory I've seen for a long time," Edwards told BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast.
"Yes they're in another final - great. But that's where the positivity ends.
"They were outplayed in the second half and they were outplayed in extra time.
"There's no way United can come out of that and say it is a good day for them. The only good thing about it was the result. Everything else exposed how soft they are, the lack of leadership and the lack of character.
"They took their foot off the gas and took Coventry too lightly - and nearly paid the ultimate price.
"They were on the ropes and a toenail VAR decision has spared them. They were 20 seconds from going out."
Speculation will continue over Ten Hag's future and Edwards believes the performance at Wembley will be decisive for co-owners Joel and Avram Glazer, Sir Jim Ratcliffe and new technical director Jason Wilcox, who all watched proceedings from the Royal Box.
"Manchester United should be ashamed. They should be embarrassed," he added.
"Having said that, they can be proud of the result and of the fact they are in another cup final.
"They were schooled by a Championship side in that second half and it exposed all the things we have been worried about with them as a team and Ten Hag as a manager. He looks like a manager crestfallen, crushed and somebody who knew the writing was on the wall for them.
"I don't think Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Ineos are thinking he's the right manager for them.
"They have huge problems but they're in the cup final and could end the season with a trophy. That makes no sense to me - but that's football."
2024-04-22T07:55:13Z dg43tfdfdgfd