MANCHESTER, England — So, it turns out, it's Eric Den Haag can Encourage and lead his Manchester United team to victory against a formidable opponent.
Man United's 4-3 FA Cup quarter-final win over Liverpool on Sunday answered many questions about the manager's ability to make it count on a day when Old Trafford felt like an impregnable fortress in the Sir Alex Ferguson era.
In a thrilling game that had absolutely everything, Amat Diallo's stoppage-time winner at the end of extra-time sealed an FA Cup semi-final against EFL Championship side Coventry City next month. Amat, who has had an injury-plagued season, took off his shirt in celebration and was sent off for a second yellow card in the most ruthless dismissal of the year.
– Stream on ESPN+: FA Cup, LaLiga, Bundesliga & more (US)
– Read on ESPN+: How Pep and Klopp changed the frame and each other
While ten Hoag's future as United manager is still secure, there is no doubt that Mark Robbins is in charge of Coventry — he is largely credited with keeping Alex Ferguson in a job with a crucial game-winning goal for United. In an FA Cup tie against Nottingham Forest in 1990. Could Robbins once again hold the fate of a United manager in his own hands? Den Haag certainly wouldn't believe it.
We already know manager Jurgen Klopp will be leaving Liverpool at the end of the season, and this defeat means he won't be celebrating quadruple as he walks through the Anfield exit door.
Den Haag found a way to turn a losing situation into a winning one with bold substitutions as United chased the game. Then Den Haag threw caution to the wind by playing the final minutes of extra time Harry Maguire, Diogo Dalot And Bruno Fernandes A temporary repeat creates three.
“United took a lot of risks – I absolutely respect that,” Klopp said.
How much was by accident or design is debatable, but Ten Haag at least influenced the outcome of the game. His first change, replacing Rasmus Hojlund AntonyIt paid dividends when the Brazil winger tied it 2-2 late in regulation time with his second goal of the season.
At that point, Ten Hat was introduced Christian Erickson and Amat Gobi Mainoo And Raphael Varane — Two offensive players in favor of more defense. Although they felt like desperate measures for desperate times, his decisions paid off.
took the lead in the 10th minute Scott McTominayUnited's advantage was reversed as they led 2-1 at half-time after Liverpool scored. Alexis Mac Allister And Mohammed Salah Just before the break.
At that moment, an air of resignation descended on Old Trafford. United have lost five times this season after scoring first — only Brentford (7) have more defeats in the lead — against one of the best teams in the world.
It looked like the day was going to be worse than better for United, but questioned all season by an apparent lack of unity and fighting spirit, Den Haag's players mustered every last drop of those qualities.
“The first 30 minutes were the best of our whole season,” said ten Haag. “We worked as a team but then we got gaps between us and you can't allow that against one of the best teams in Europe.
“They outplayed us. Then we made changes, we took risks and the players were fantastic. The attitude to win this game was good, strong belief.”
United rode their luck with Liverpool dominating and missing chances, but Anthony's 87th-minute equalizer gave United a boost. A win that didn't require extra time was only denied by a flagrant foul Marcus RashfordWhen he shot wide from six yards with the last kick of regulation.
when Harvey Elliott 3-2 to restore Liverpool's lead in the 105th minute, United seemed drained of energy and confidence, but Den Haag rallied his men for one last push in the extra-time break. He broke again, this time changing the defender Victor Lindelof With an attacking midfielder Mason Mt.
For a long time, United's supporters urged Ten Hoag to be bolder, to take more risks, and he answered that call with time running out against the club's biggest rivals.
The game has now become like a basketball match — end to end, gaps everywhere and opportunities for both teams to score. Rashford made up for his earlier mistake with a low strike past the goalkeeper on 112 minutes as Den Haag's lack of goals added to his problems. Kevin Kelleher.
Old Trafford erupted again, but Amat made it 4-3 after charging a free-kick on the edge of the United penalty area as this classic tie was set for a penalty shoot-out. He ran clear Alejandro Garnacho And, after an eighty-yard run, scored with a shot into the far corner.
Ferguson, who retired as manager in 2013, celebrated wildly in the directors' box, as did other United fans at the ground. The ground had not seen such an occasion since Ferguson's tenure as manager, and less than a month after new minority owner Jim Radcliffe spoke of “knocking Manchester City and Liverpool off their perch”, Den Haag oversaw a victory that shattered Liverpool's hopes. A quadruple.
It was a signature win for Den Haag, but for United to truly bounce back and for Den Haag to survive in his job, the club will need to enjoy success of their own rather than stop defending their rivals.
The win showed what the future holds and it certainly won't hurt Ten Hoag's chances of survival at Old Trafford despite calls for his sacking. But United's next challenge is winning a Premier League game at Brentford. If he can do that, away from the emotion of beating Liverpool, that will dictate the manager's future.
“We're still fighting,” said Den Haag. “For a long time in the season, we're well behind that level, but we're putting pressure on Spurs and Villa. Every game is a final and we lost a final against Fulham. Our target is the Champions League and silverware.”
Ten Haag may have to deliver both to keep his job, but this win will keep him alive.
