MX23RW : Tuesday, May 30 17:31:31| >> :60:876:876:

Erik ten Hag confident of overcoming Manchester City in FA Cup final

Ten Hag confident of overcoming Man City in FA Cup final
© Reuters
Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag says that January's Manchester derby win over Manchester City is "proof" that his side can beat their rivals.

Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag has said that January's Manchester derby win over Manchester City is "proof" that his side can overcome the Citizens.

The Red Devils booked their spot in the FA Cup final on Sunday afternoon by beating Brighton & Hove Albion on penalties following a goalless draw in 120 minutes of football.

The 20-time English champions will take on Man City in the final, with Pep Guardiola's side beating Championship outfit Sheffield United in the first semi-final.

The English champions are chasing a treble this season and are unbeaten in all competitions since the start of February, but Ten Hag is confident that his team can overcome their rivals to make it a domestic cup double this term, having beaten them 2-1 in the Premier League at Old Trafford in January.

Brighton & Hove Albion's Danny Welbeck in action with Manchester United's Victor Lindelof on April 23, 2023© Reuters

"We have proof that we can beat them but then we have to play the perfect game. That was the most perfect game we played this season [winning the derby in January] but we have to go again," the Dutchman told reporters after the semi-final success over Brighton.

"We know that but, first of all, we have to focus on different games because we have to be in the top four, to get into the Champions League for next season."

Ten Hag also praised his players for bouncing back from last week's 3-0 defeat to Sevilla in the second leg of their Europa League quarter-final, which eliminated the Red Devils from the competition.

"It [criticism] was justified on Thursday night but, today, the lads deserve compliments and credit because they bounced back once again, they showed character," he added.

"What we have to learn and improve, which must be our next step, is that if we have a setback in a game, we fight back in that same game, that we keep calm and fight back in that same game. We have to deal with setbacks and we can do it better but in between games, and it's not the first time, we do it very well.

Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag on April 2, 2023© Reuters

"It was a difficult game. I think it was a great battle for the fans, especially for the fans at home. It was a great final. In the end, the penalties were really good as well. It was so close and, of course, I am very happy with the performance of the team.

"They were so determined, so dominant to win this game and from the first moment, there was only one thing in mind. We have to win this game. So the willingness was really high."

Next up for Man United is trip to Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League on Thursday night, with the Red Devils looking to strengthen their grip on a top-four spot.

"The final is not that far away but there are some weeks in between and we have to develop and improve, go from game to game. Thursday night is another big game in London and then we gave to be ready for the next one," Ten Hag added.

Man United are fourth in the Premier League table, six points clear of fifth-placed Spurs, who have played two games more than the Red Devils.

ID:512192:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect5397:

Click here for more stories about Erik ten Hag

Click here for more stories about Manchester United

Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Diogo Dalot in action for Manchester United on August 27, 2022
Read Next:
Diogo Dalot, Joao Cancelo 'on Barcelona's right-back shortlist'
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free daily transfer newsletter! Sent twice a day during the transfer window.
rhs 2.0
Man City 2023-24 kit with 'DJ Grealo'
Real Madrid Until The End
Today's games header
Result
Andreeva
Riske-Amritraj
6 6
2 1
Result
Wang
Bouzkova
6 77
4 65
Result
Jarry
Dellien
6 6 6
4 4 2
Result
Peterson
Ferro
6 6
2 0
Result
Paul
Stricker
6 6 6
3 2 4
Result
Nishioka
Wolf
1 3 6 6 6
6 6 4 3 3
Result
Kalinina
Parry
2 3
6 6
Result
Ymer
Ruud
4 3 2
6 6 6
Result
Purcell
Thompson
7 1 6 6
5 6 4 4
Result
Mpetshi Perricard
Alberto Olivieri
63 6 6 5 1
77 4 4 7 6
Result
Vavassori
Kecmanovic
5 2 710 77 711
7 6 68 63 69
Result
Bronzetti
Jabeur
4 1
6 6
Result
Danilovic
Baindl
6 6
3 2
Result
Bublik
Zeppieri
0 6 6 3 5
6 4 4 6 7
Result
Gaston
Molcan
1 64 4
6 77 6
Result
Zverev
Harris
78 77 6
66 60 1
Result
Rus
Grabher
2 3
6 6
Result
Noskova
Kovinic
6 2
3 1

(ret.)
Result
Janicijevic
Dodin
6 2 1
0 6 6
Result
Tsurenko
Krejcikova
6 6
2 4
12pm
Zhu
Davis
Result
Masarova
Gauff
6 1 2
3 6 6
12.15pm
Seyboth Wild
Medvedev
1.30pm
Cerundolo
Munar
1.30pm
Cirstea
Paolini
1.30pm
Burel
Sorribes Tormo
1.30pm
Ruusuvuori
Barrere
1.30pm
Halys
Pella
1.30pm
Monteiro
Hanfmann
1.30pm
Rune
Eubanks
1.30pm
Rybakina
Fruhvirtova
2.15pm
Swiatek
Bucsa
3pm
Skatov
Dimitrov
3pm
Mmoh
Fritz
3pm
Gasquet
Rinderknech
3.30pm
In-Albon
Liu
3.30pm
Martic
Rogers
3.30pm
Andreeva
Navarro
3.30pm
Azarenka
Andreescu
7.15pm
Monfils
Baez
Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
CManchester CityMan City38285594336189
2Arsenal38266688434584
3Manchester UnitedMan Utd38236958431575
4Newcastle UnitedNewcastle381914568333571
5Liverpool381910975472867
6Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton381881272531962
7Aston Villa38187135146561
8Tottenham HotspurSpurs38186147063760
9Brentford381514958461259
10Fulham38157165553252
11Crystal Palace381112154049-945
12Chelsea381111163847-944
13Wolverhampton WanderersWolves38118193158-2741
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham38117204255-1340
15Bournemouth38116213771-3439
16Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest38911183868-3038
17Everton38812183457-2336
RLeicester CityLeicester3897225168-1734
RLeeds UnitedLeeds38710214878-3031
RSouthampton3867253673-3725

Man City 2023-24 kit with 'DJ Grealo'
Real Madrid Until The End
Ted Lasso creative

Subscribe to our newsletter


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!