Football criminal – only as such can be defined the manager of Manchester United, who squandered a three-goal lead against a second-division opponent in the semi-final of the FA Cup.
Erik ten Hag signed his death warrant at Old Trafford.
If until now there were even minimal doubts whether the Dutchman will remain at the head of the “red devils” in the next season, they have now completely evaporated.
The 54-year-old United manager clearly has no influence on his team during the match, after he could allow the seventh in the Championship to “sewn” three goals in 25 minutes.
And at Wembley, and in front of Avram Glazer and Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
United have not won in regular time for six games in a row. The Red Devils even came close to a hugely embarrassing turnaround and relegation against Coventry, but a millimeter save saved them a goal late in extra time.
After the penalties, the players obviously didn’t know whether to rejoice or just take a breather. The only one who ran to congratulate the author of the last penalty Rasmus Hoylund was his compatriot Christian Eriksen.
Meanwhile, the rest of United’s players remained in the center of the pitch. Where is the team spirit, where is the joy of reaching the final?
Ten Hag tried to fool the journalists that he would play in the FA Cup final in both of his years at United. But this is a club for which it is not important to rank in the final, but to win it. He himself hardly believes that his team has any chances against Manchester City.
The injury problems are clear. Harry Maguire was the only fit centre-back for the Coventry game, with Casemiro partnering him in the heart of the defence.
They both managed it, but when you are on the left you have a risk like Aaron Wan-Bissaka, who at any moment can knock you out with a stupid split or outstretched arms like a referee in the penalty area, you are helpless.
Even more so, when 25-30 minutes before the end of regular time you take out two of your best players – Garnacho and Mainu, but you leave Rashford on the field, who once again totally disappoints with his ugly performance, what else can be done?
It is true that many of the players who are currently at Old Trafford do not have a place there. The defense was once again a total misery and for the umpteenth time this season, United fans have no peace of mind even when their side are 3-0 up against a Championship side.
“They always give the opposition chances. We’ve seen it countless times this season. Maguire told me they showed character. Where did he see that character? – commented United legend Roy Keane angrily after the match. –
They are making me stop rooting for this team. I observe many wrong practices. The goalkeeper started to slow down the time from 2:0. Come out and show who you are! Now they will be celebrating reaching the final, and in fact it only increases the pressure on the manager.”
However, it is also true that you cannot quickly get rid of 10-15 players from the first team. The sad picture at United is that those who deserve to stay in the team are fewer than those who must leave.
This has to be done gradually and it is clear that Ten Haag cannot do it. The Dutchman has totally missed the dressing room, and the transfer policy throughout his time at United was disastrous.
It was indicative of how far the Dutchman was from the players in the minutes just before the penalties. Instead of inspiring his players and ordering who would take which penalty, ten Haag had left all the decisions in the hands of the players, and he talked to his assistants.
Jurgen Klopp did it in Liverpool – for a few transfer windows, he got rid of all the “carrion” and put together a completely new team. That will be the challenge for the new manager and the new bosses at United.
And Ten Haag? Ten Hag can now be considered, as it is fashionable to say about coaches these days, a thing of the past for Manchester United.
