Ten Hag did concede he was “annoyed” by the way his team imploded but said the overwhelming reaction from fans would be happiness at reaching the final two years running.
“We were not happy with it [the collapse]. I can see the fans are not happy with it as well, but they get fed by opinions,” he added. “But all over, what I heard is that the fans are very happy we are again in the FA Cup final.
“I have seen the reactions in general. I was annoyed. I was annoyed by the team, by myself because I am part of the team, and it shouldn’t happen. But also, especially when you sit down and analyse it, it is also part of bad luck. The deflected shot, the penalty should not have been given, but I was annoyed by myself.”
United could be without as many of 15 players against bottom club Sheffield United at Old Trafford on Wednesday and Ten Hag claimed his team will have “over-performed” this term should they beat City in the Cup final given all the injury problems and off field issues they have had. “I would say it’s over-performing with all the problems we have had,” he said.
Ten Hag admitted he would have to be “really creative” with his selection against Sheffield United when he could be without up to 15 players through injury, including at least seven defenders.
There are doubts over Scott McTominay and Marcus Rashford while Ten Hag is hoping Alejandro Garnacho and Bruno Fernandes can recover from problems in time. Harry Maguire was also hampered by a groin problem at Wembley.
United were already without 10 players against Coventry, with defenders Lisandro Martinez, Luke Shaw, Raphael Varane, Victor Lindelof, Jonny Evans, Tyrell Malacia and Willy Kambwala, midfielders Mason Mount and Sofyan Amrabat and striker Anthony Martial all absent.
United appointed Jason Wilcox as technical director on Friday, with the former Blackburn Rovers winger, who was academy director at Manchester City before taking over as Southampton’s director of football, at Wembley to watch the Coventry game.
As revealed by Telegraph Sport on Monday, Wilcox has been tasked with conducting an audit of Ten Hag’s credentials and dressing room relations over the next month or so before the club make a final decision on the manager’s future.
In addition to taking the lead on the summer transfer window, Wilcox will be responsible for determining a “game model” – a clear playing style and identity – and make recommendations about how Ten Hag fits into that.
Asked how closely he expects to work with Wilcox, Ten Hag said: “Very close. We have to form a partnership, that’s very important. We are a little behind in the process so we have to catch up and we will go and speed up the process.
“I met him [on Monday] for the first time, we had some talks. This week we will not have so much time. But from Monday on we will go forward and of course I know his profile, I know his work in youth [football], a lot of experience there and one year he was at Southampton so I know his background and I am looking forward to our partnership.”
Olivia Martin is a dedicated sports journalist based in the UK. With a passion for various athletic disciplines, she covers everything from major league championships to local sports events, delivering up-to-the-minute updates and in-depth analysis.
