Erik ten Hag came one step closer to completing a domestic double on Sunday evening by reaching the FA Cup final in his first season with Manchester United. The manager saw his team better Brighton & Hove Albion after penalties. Afterwards, the British media were lyrical about the manager.
“Manchester United a healthy top club again”
It was only three nights earlier that Manchester United had been dragged through the mud. On a visit to Sevilla, the Ten Hag team was ingloriously eliminated in the quarterfinals of the Europa League. There was a lot of criticism. According to the BBC, that was unjustified: “When your glass is half empty, you see that defeat. Only what is much more important for this club is that the League Cup has been won for the first time since 2017, that the club seems to be returning to the Champions League and that there is still a chance to win the second showpiece of the season at Wembley to lift into the air. Only Manchester City is still in the way of Ten Hag’s second prize. He could become the club’s first manager to win the FA Cup in his first season.”
They continued, “This team still has to be selected. Only Ten Hag has given Manchester United an injection of quality and mental strength. The Dutchman is seen as the founder of the current success at The Red Devils. Finally the club is moving in the right direction, thanks to Ten Hag. Finally there is another manager who finds the solutions to all problems. And that after years of living in the margins. He makes Manchester United a healthy top club again. There are still many diseases to be cured, but he always prescribes the right medication. Through the FA Cup he can even finish his first year gloriously.”
Luke shaw was the game changer
“That key was Luke Shaw,” the medium noted. “As a result, Brighton could never play how they wanted. Shaw covered on Brighton’s strikers, who want to play as an attacking midfielder in possession of the ball. He frustrated the opponent. Ten Hag found the way that Guardiola did not see. Brighton have scored in 23 of their last 24 games, but United managed to bring the goal machine to a halt with this find.”
Alan Shearer also spoke highly of Ten Hag. At Sky Sports, the analyst indicated that the manager deserves credits for Manchester United’s season. “Whether they win the FA Cup or not, this is a really fantastic season for the club. They have achieved all their goals this year. Ten Hag deserves all the credit for that,” said the legend.
