Manchester United manager, Erik ten Hag, expressed his delight for the players following their stunning FA Cup final victory. The Red Devils shocked their city rivals, Manchester City, with a 2-1 win on Saturday, thanks to goals from Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo.
Ten Hag praised his team, saying, “All compliments to the team. We played very good to our identity. Very strong. You have seen how we can play when we have the players on board. Some were not even match fit but the performance was very good.”
The Dutch manager has consistently emphasized the importance of having a fit squad throughout the season. He stated, “I tell you [media] this all year – when the players are fit we can play good football. A very good performance against the best team in the world.”
While acknowledging the local rivalry between the two Manchester clubs, Ten Hag emphasized that their victory was about proving a point after numerous setbacks. He commended his team’s resilience, stating, “The team showed so much resilience and I’m proud of them.”
When asked about the criticism his team has faced, Ten Hag believed it was unfair. He admitted that they had not always played good football, but attributed it to not having a full squad available due to injuries and other factors. He revealed, “I had maybe three or four times in two years we had the full squad available. Even today we were missing massive players like Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw, and Casemiro.”
Overall, Ten Hag’s focus remains on building a strong and fit squad to play the style of football he desires. The FA Cup triumph against their local rivals has undoubtedly boosted the team’s morale and confidence as they look to continue their success in future competitions.
