Man Utd: Three cup finals in two years is 'not bad' but lack of leaders is evident says ex Prem star
- Robbie Savage
- 23 April 2024
Former Premier League midfielder Robbie Savage believes Manchester United's performance against Coventry in the FA Cup exposed the lack of leaders in their squad.
The ex Leicester, Birmingham and Derby County man told Planet Sport Bet’s podcast ‘On Another Planet’ that he believes Manchester United’s performance in their FA Cup semi-final victory of Coventry has damaged the club and potentially Erik ten Hag’s position as manager.
Speaking exclusively to Planet Sport Bet, Savage said: “I watched the Manchester United vs Coventry semi-final on the television and turned it off at half time because United were 2-0 up and I assumed the game was over at that point.
"Someone told me when Coventry had got it back to 3-2 so I put it back on and saw the equaliser. That period of extra time, wow. Can you imagine being a Coventry player in that?
"The decision to disallow their winner was correct, but it was a millimetre offside! After all the emotion you just knew that United would go on and win it from there.
“The performance from Mark Robins’ team against Erik ten Hag’s United side might have really started to make people question whether he is the right man to be United’s manager next season. On the flip side that is three domestic cup finals in two years for Ten Hag, that’s not a bad achievement!
“However, the damage from being 3-0 up against a Championship side and letting that lead slip has been done. The game management was poor and people will say that is the manager’s fault, but they were all to blame.
"When Coventry got a goal back Manchester United had to change something as a collective and I didn’t see anything like that. There were no leaders on or off the pitch and that is a huge worry for me now.
“The objective for everybody at Manchester United before the game will have been to reach the final. People are using words like ‘embarrassing’ to describe the performance, but at the end of the day they’ve still got to an FA Cup final.
"Although, they were a millimetre away from going out in what would’ve been one of the most unbelievable results in an FA Cup semi-final ever.”
Manchester United turn their attention to the Premier League on Wednesday as they welcome Sheffield United to Old Trafford.
