In 1983, after his Aberdeen side won the Scottish Cup in extra-time, Alex Ferguson expressed disappointment rather than praise for his players’ performance. He believed they had failed to meet the standards he had set and described the performance as a disgrace.

This approach led some to suggest that Erik ten Hag, the current coach of Manchester United, should have adopted a similar stance in response to his team’s narrow victory against a lower-ranked opponent, acknowledging their failings and admitting embarrassment at the narrow win. Even United fans expressed dismay at their team’s display, from a position of control to a struggle requiring VAR assistance and penalties.

Ten Hag responded to the criticism, noting that while they were not happy with losing a 3-0 lead, some fans were pleased to see the team in the FA Cup final for the second time in two years. However, he misjudged an assertion about United’s history in the final, which they had previously reached in consecutive years in the 1950s and again in the 1970s, as well as three times in a row in the mid-1990s.

Looking ahead, United have the opportunity to make amends for their recent performance as they prepare to face Sheffield United in the Premier League.