Erik ten Hag bizarrely claims Man Utd would be 'over-performing' by winning FA Cup and insists he 'always brings out the maximum' of every team he coaches

United unconvincingly limped into the FA Cup final after beating Championship side Coventry City on penalties, having thrown away a 3-0 lead in normal time at Wembley. Ahead of facing Manchester City in the showpiece event, Dutch coach Ten Hag believes it would be a big achievement for the Red Devils, who sit seventh in the Premier League, to win the tournament and that he gets the "maximum" out of every team he coaches.

When asked about the possibility of winning silverware, he told reporters: “I would say it’s over-performing with all the problems we have had. Getting into the final is already a big achievement, but we are here for trophies. We have an opportunity to win a trophy and that is good. But we are not satisfied by being in the final, we want to win it and that is what we will go for and it’s our mentality. That is why we are successful. That’s why I am successful over 10 years as a manager, I always bring out the maximum of each squad.”

For a club of United's size and stature, it could be argued winning a trophy each season is a must, rather than an over achievement. However, the Red Devils have been without the likes of Lisandro Martinez, Anthony Martial, Mason Mount, Luke Shaw, and Tyrell Malacia for much of the season - which has not helped Ten Hag's cause.

United will look to rise up the table on Wednesday night when they host bottom of the table Sheffield United at Old Trafford. Next month, they will take on City in a repeat of last year's FA Cup final, a game they lost 2-1 at Wembley.