Ten Hag: A Potential Turning Point
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag believes that their thrilling 4-3 victory over arch-rivals Liverpool in the FA Cup quarter-final could be the turning point of their season. The win keeps United’s hopes of lifting silverware alive and with their main rivals for a Champions League spot, Tottenham and Aston Villa, both dropping points, Ten Hag feels that this victory could be significant.
A Thrilling Victory
Trailing deep in normal time and again in extra time, United managed to secure the victory thanks to Amad Diallo’s 121st-minute winner. The match triggered euphoric celebrations among the home supporters at the final whistle, and Ten Hag believes that this moment can give the team the belief and energy to achieve amazing things. He stated, “When you beat Liverpool, you can beat any opponent.”
A Strong Performance
Ten Hag also praised his side’s performance in the first half-hour, considering it their best of the season. However, the situation appeared bleak when Alexis Mac Allister and Mo Salah both scored in the final stages of the opening period, giving Liverpool the advantage. It took substitute Antony to rescue the situation three minutes from time. After Harvey Elliott put Liverpool ahead again, Marcus Rashford equalized eight minutes before the end of extra time. Diallo then finished off a length-of-the-field breakaway to secure a Wembley semi-final showdown with Championship side Coventry, managed by old United FA Cup hero Mark Robins.
Character and Determination
The ending of the match proved that any questions about United’s character were wide of the mark, according to Ten Hag. He exclaimed, “I don’t understand why. They are great characters, and we see the determination again.” Despite facing numerous setbacks throughout the season, Ten Hag commended his team’s ability to adapt. The last-minute absence of Jonny Evans required bringing in Aaron Wan-Bissaka, who hadn’t played for several weeks and had only a few training sessions. Ten Hag expressed his pride in the team’s current run but also acknowledged that they still have ground to catch up. He was pleased with the dropped points by Spurs and Villa, but emphasized the need to keep pushing forward.
Diallo’s Best Day
For Amad Diallo, it was undoubtedly his best day in a United shirt. The Ivory Coast international was signed by the club for £19m in 2021 when Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was the manager. After loan spells at Rangers and Sunderland, where he won last season’s young player of the year award, Diallo’s progress this season has been disrupted by injuries. Sunday’s appearance as a substitute marked only his fourth of the entire campaign. Ten Hag expressed his happiness for Diallo, emphasizing that he has faced significant setbacks. Despite the competition in his position and limited playing time, Diallo showcased his contribution by coming on and scoring a crucial goal. Ten Hag praised Diallo’s fighting spirit and determination to make an impact.
Looking Ahead
With the victory over Liverpool, Manchester United has a renewed sense of hope for the rest of the season. The team believes that they can achieve great things and build on this momentum. The FA Cup semi-final against Coventry presents an opportunity for United to continue their cup run and potentially secure a trophy. Under Ten Hag’s guidance, United is determined to overcome any obstacles and prove their worth on the pitch. With the players’ character and resilience, along with Diallo’s growing impact, United fans have reasons to be optimistic about what lies ahead.