Erik ten Hag
Erik ten Hag

Erik ten Hag has right away steered Manchester United to the final of a major cup competition for the first time since 2021 as the Red Devils saw-off Nottingham Forest 5-0 on aggregate in the semifinals of the Carabao Cup. United added a 2-0 victory in the second leg at Old Trafford to the 3-0 win win which was achieved at Forest’s City Ground last week. Goal from Anthony Martial and Fred in the final 15 minutes of the game were enough for United to book their tickets to Wembley.

And club legend Roy Keane now wants those tickets! The Man United great was on punditry duties at Old Trafford for Sky Sports, and was engaged in a cheerful chat with Erik ten Hag post his side’s 2-0 win. Keane, who is seldom seen smiling had a grin on his face watching his former club finally resurrect and reach cup finals. United will now face Newcastle United in the final on 26 February, as Keane has suggested he won’t be in the punditry box that day.

Erik ten Hag
Erik ten Hag helped Manchester United to their first domestic cup final since 2017 after booking a place in this year’s Carabao Cup final. Credits: Twitter

‘No problem’ – Erik ten Hag assures Keane of tickets to the final in a jovial chat with the legendary midfielder

Manchester United are indeed being revived by Erik ten Hag, who has got his team hitting the ground since the back to back defeats at the start of the season against Brighton and Brentford. The Dutchman perfectly handled the Ronaldo fiasco, put Marcus Rashford’s form back on track and has helped starlets like Alejandro Garnacho to break into the first team by getting the best out of their raw talent.

And the rewards are being reaped as United aim to lift a piece of silverware for the first time since 2017. Keane, who has been a staunch critique of this United side, has now started to feel that the Red Devils are back and running under Erik ten Hag. The former club captain shared a candid moment with the ex-Ajax boss as they were all smiles after United booked their place in the final. Hilariously asking for ‘complimentary’ tickets to Wembley, Keane asked Ten Hag:

“And if you have any spare tickets for the final, you let me [know]. Just two, two complimentary I hope, yes? Thank you.”

Ten Hag couldn’t say no to the seven-time Premier League champion with United, as he replied in the most honorable manner, granting Keane’s wish:

“I think so Roy, no problem!”

Keane’s jokes were not ending just now as while Ten Hag made his way down the Old Trafford tunnel, the former midfielder claimed to Sky presenter Mark Chapman that he didn’t want to pay a penny for the tickets. He joked with Chapman:

“Complimentary as well, I’m not paying!”

Meanwhile, Erik ten Hag was not completely over the top after guiding United to a cup final in his debut campaign. The boss still lamented on his team’s first-half performance where they actually looked a bit sluggish with January loan signing Wout Weghorst missing a glorious chance to put them ahead. Ten Hag told Sky Sports:

“Of course, when you win a semi-final it’s OK. The first half wasn’t great to be honest. I thought it was professional but too slow and we didn’t create too many chances. We allowed them to. The second half was much better, more tempo and we made some good goals.

“We were 3-0 up so I didn’t want to give them momentum. They were waiting for one chance to get into the game. We were searching for gaps but I think Forest played well, defended compact and we didn’t find the gaps. I don’t think we were frustrated but we had to be a little bit smart. You don’t want to give anything away so keep the ball. We should have done more investment like quicker switches and movement in behind.

“We just want to improve every day. I think we have a good squad so we have to demand and control the high standards. You have to bring that every game. We are Man United. When you are a United player you have to match the standards.”