Three things noticed from Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United vs Coventry press conference

Three things noticed as Erik ten Hag conducted his pre-match press conference ahead of Manchester United’s FA Cup semi-final tie against Coventry City.

Coventry City are the latest team to stand in the way of Erik ten Hag‘s final chance at glory this season, with the midlands club taking on Manchester United in the FA Cup semi-final on Sunday afternoon.

Last season, Ten Hag’s men booked themselves a ticket to the final of the competition, but a 2-1 loss against Manchester City saw them become runners-up on the day.

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With the club out of the Champions League and Carabao Cup while sitting seventh in the Premier League table, the FA Cup is the last chance for salvation this campaign.

Ten Hag held a pre-match press conference with journalists ahead of the upcoming tie. Here are three things noticed.

Three injury boosts

Erik ten Hag provided three injury boosts ahead of the club’s FA Cup semi-final tie. “Antony and Scott [McTominay], I expect them to be back,” he told reporters on Friday afternoon.

“We have some problems, Harry [Maguire] struggled with a small injury against Bournemouth. He didn’t train this week so far, but he’s now back on the pitch, and I think he’ll be available for Sunday.”

A message to Jadon Sancho

Jadon Sancho performed well for Borussia Dortmund as the United loanee saw his club progress to the Champions League semi-finals against Atletico Madrid.

When questioned on the winger, Ten Hag explained that he knows Snacho is a talented player but reiterated that this was not the problem.

“No (nothing has changed about his future), but we know Jadon Sancho is a fantastic football player, so that is not a surprise for us. That is not the issue,” he said.

Then when questioned on Alejandro Garnacho’s recent social media activity, Ten Hag explained how the youngster avoided punishment, inadvertently sending Sancho a message about how he can reclaim his spot at United through an apology.

“Alejandro is a young player. Has to learn a lot,” Ten Hag said. “He has apologised for it, and we move on.”

Ten Hag’s support for Casemiro

“I think we needed the six when I arrived here, and last season, Casemiro was fantastic,” Ten Hag explained to reporters. “I don’t think he ever scored so many goals as well but as a six, a holding midfielder, a strategist, he was so important for the team.

“This season, he struggled with a bad injury he never had in his career. But I know he is such a winner – see his career. All his career, he always won. Everywhere where he was there will be success and I trust he will give us also the success and I know he will need games, he will be better, and I’m very confident about him.

“He is a fighter, that is why he also won big trophies, he’s a big personality, he’s a very important player and he will give us success.

“I think that game (against Newcastle in the League Cup final), not only that game, also how he achieved Champions League, he was such an important factor, and that day he made a difference with his header and how we read and controlled the game.”