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Rio Ferdinand couldn’t believe something Erik ten Hag did in yesterday’s FA Cup semi-final vs Coventry

Lucas Arnold

Mon 22 April 2024 8:15, UK

Rio Ferdinand has now admitted that he was left baffled by something Erik ten Hag did during Manchester United’s FA Cup semi-final yesterday.

Erik ten Hag wiඣll 🦋probably be waking up this morning still in disbelief that his side almost lost yesterday’s tie against Coventry City when 3-0 up.

In truth, once Coventry🍰 got on꧂e goal back it did feel as if the game was only going in one direction.

And if the Man United manager woke up in disbelief that his side almost threw it 🐭away, Coventry fans may still be finding it hard to accept VAR’s late offside call.

United survived by the tiniest of margins.

And although they’👍v♔e now progressed to the final against Manchester City late next month, Ten Hag’s team did little to inspire much confidence for that game.

Things did look comfortable when 3-0 up, Casemiro was coping fairly well alongside Harry Maguire in defence.

But from then on, United’s game 🤪manageme💧nt was almost non-existent.

And when speaking on when driving out of Wembley yesterday, Rio Ferdinand couldn’t believe a couple of decisions Erik ten Hag made.🃏 

Rio Ferdinand couldn’t believe that Erik ten Hag subbed Alejandro Garnacho yesterday

At 3-0 up in the 66th minute, Erik ten Hag decided to replace Alejandro Garnacho with Antony, a decision that wasn’t enjoyed by the Argentinian.

And having also then subbed Kobbie Mainoo shortly after Coventry’s ♈first goal, Ferdinand couldn’t believe Ten Hag’s choices.

He explained: “I was there. I was ꧃in a bad way during that game, 3-1, 3-2 and then 3-3, and then they got the winner and VAR saved us.

“It saved us, we feel lucky man but that’s the way it iℱs, we get to the final and ജhopefully we win now.

“Garnacho can’t be coming off of the pitch, Kobbie Mainoo coming off early – you’ve got young h♛ung🧔ry guys.”

Beya replied: “Amad Diallo did a decent job.”

Ferdinand: “Yeah I liked him coming on, yeah.”

Why would Erik ten Hag surrender Kobbie Mainoo’s control?

Of course, with the FA Cup definitely being the most important competition and focus for Manchester United in the remainder of this season, the d𒁏ecisions were baffling.

Garnacho and Mainoo weren’t having exceptional games individually, but they are hardly players you would🔥 want to lose in such a game.

Despite their age, both have proved their winning mentality♈, players not at all phased 🀅by the occasion.

United don’t play again until Wednesday in the Premier League against Sheff🦩ield United, and even so it shouldn’t come into the 𝓡thinking.

Erik ten Hag may not have envisioned such 🌠a collapse, but ultimately he knows what this team is capable of, he nearly saw something similar agains⛎t Newport County in the earlier rounds.

And although United 🌌progressed, the game certainly didn’t do Ten Hag’s position any favours whatsoever.

All that being said, Roy Keane did notice one po🐟sitive during the first-half yesterday.