Erik ten Hag and his backroom staff were the focus of the cameras as Victor Lindelof lined up to take the decisive penalty in the highly dramatic ending to Manchester United’s FA Cup semi-final against Brighton.
United had not found a way past Roberto De Zerbi’s men over 120 minutes but the Reds also kept their opponents at bay, meaning the Reds would have to find a way past the Seagulls by way of penalties.
Solly March’s wayward effort, coming in the seventh round of penalties, gave Lindelof the chance to set up an all-Manchester final in June and the Swede made no mistake from 12 yards.
As the cameras panned towards the United boss, he was captured celebrating Lindelof’s ice-cold winner as he embraced his backroom staff, as seen below.
How Erik ten Hag reacted to that incredible winning penalty 🤩#EmiratesFACup pic.twitter.com/dT3s9lFxED
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) April 23, 2023
Footage courtesy of Emirates FA Cup
Ten Hag will be aware of the significance of this tournament and what it would mean to bring it home for the first time in seven years.
There is also added tension to the final as they will face Manchester City in a major cup final for the first time, with the Reds’ cross-city rivals chasing a treble.
The players will be desperate to stop that from happening but five weeks remain before United make their return to Wembley. Between now and then, the focus will be to finish as high as possible in the Premier League.
As things stand, United are in the driving seat to finish inside the top four and thus qualify for the Champions League next season.
