Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag expressed his disappointment following his team’s defeat in the FA Cup final on Saturday, News About Nigeria reports.
In a highly anticipated clash, Manchester United faced an in-form Manchester City at Wembley, ultimately suffering a 2-1 defeat in the Emirate FA Cup final.
City wasted no time in taking the lead, with Ilkay Gundogan scoring a remarkable goal just 13 seconds into the match, setting a new record for the fastest goal in FA Cup history.
Bruno Fernandes responded for United by converting a penalty in the 33rd minute of the first half, injecting a boost of attacking spirit into his team. However, City quickly regained their advantage as Gundogan found the back of the net again just 11 minutes into the second half.
Throughout the game, Pep Guardiola’s men continued their dominance, with Gundogan even attempting to complete a hat-trick. Ten Hag expressed his disappointment in a post-match briefing, acknowledging the pain felt by him and his team: “It hurts, you can feel it in your stomach.”
Ten Hag also outlined his plans for the future, emphasizing his determination to improve the club and convey his ideas to the management and staff in preparation for the next season. He stated, “My only plan is to improve all aspects of this club—I will fight for my ideas. I will engage in discussions with the club about the necessary steps we need to take. Collaborating with my staff and players is crucial for us to perform better in the upcoming season.”
On the other hand, the victorious Guardiola commended his team for their incredible performance and acknowledged the rarity of the situation, noting, “It was the best way to start a final. We are in a position we will probably never be in again.”
