Erik Ten Hag insisted he was not embarrassed however admitted Manchester United “bought away with it” after edging previous Championship Coventry on penalties of their FA Cup semi-final.
The Premier League outfit got an almighty scare at Wembley on Sunday because the second-tier facet fought again from 3-0 down after which had a late extra-time winner disallowed for a marginal offside.
An exhilarating contest ended 3-3 after 120 minutes and it was United who finally prevailed, 4-2 on spot-kicks, to arrange a repeat of final yr’s last in opposition to rivals Manchester Metropolis.
It was one other extremely unconvincing efficiency by United – which can have elevated the stress on under-fire supervisor Ten Hag – however the Dutchman tried to spotlight the positives.
Ten Hag mentioned: “I can’t say that phrase (embarrassment) as a result of, on the finish of the day, it’s in regards to the achievement.
“I see the errors we make – we will’t look away from it – nevertheless it’s not a humiliation. It’s an enormous achievement.
“Even the massive crew from United, a decade in the past, solely achieved the ultimate thrice. We now have two occasions in two years. In order that’s a great efficiency.
“I see we will play in very excessive ranges however in the identical match we will additionally go very low. That’s not explainable. It has to do with managing the sport.
“I’ve to show my gamers, clearly. We’ve to do higher in such events.
“On a number of events we’ve let the outcome slip away however at this time we bought away with it.”
United had cruising previous an apparently inferior opponent as they opened up a good-looking lead with objectives from Scott McTominay, Harry Maguire and Bruno Fernandes.
But the Sky Blues, who’re eighth within the Championship, pulled one again by way of Ellis Simms on 71 minutes after which threw warning to the wind.
Callum O’Hare pulled one other again with a deflected strike and Haji Wright despatched the sport into further time with a stoppage-time penalty after handball by Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
Either side hit the bar in further time earlier than Victor Torp thought he had snatched a dramatic winner within the closing minutes, just for VAR to rule Wright fractionally offside within the build-up.
Regardless of the heartbreaking method of the loss, Sky Blues supervisor Mark Robins insisted there was no feeling of injustice.
The previous United striker mentioned: “If it’s the proper name, it’s the proper name. I believe he was a toenail offside, which is disappointing. Had he minimize his toenail, we wouldn’t be speaking about penalties.
“This FA Cup run will likely be spoken about, actually in Coventry Metropolis circles, for an extended, very long time.
“While I’m disenchanted for everyone, we will’t be too down about it. We’ve gone toe to toe with Manchester United, come again from 3-0 down and virtually gained it with a fourth, then misplaced it in a shoot-out, which might occur.
“We carried out like Manchester United for that final half-hour and that’s what I’m most happy with.
“This membership has been within the doldrums for thus lengthy however we’re actually out of that interval. We’ve simply bought to maintain shifting it ahead, which is why we gained’t really feel sorry for ourselves.”
