FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Premier League - AFC Bournemouth v Manchester United - Vitality Stadium, Bournemouth, Britain - April 13, 2024 Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag before the match REUTERS/Dylan Martinez/File Photo
MANCHESTER, England (Reuters) - Manchester United are one win away from a second successive FA Cup final appearance, which could go a long way in salvaging a disappointing season for Erik ten Hag's side, though the manager said Sunday's semi-final would be a huge challenge.
United meet Championship (second tier) side Coventry City at Wembley after beating Liverpool in a thrilling FA Cup quarter-final match last month that went to extra time.
That memorable game at Old Trafford, however, was one of United's few positive results amid numerous poor ones that have left the squad seventh in the Premier League standings.
"Obviously, we want to win every game," Ten Hag told reporters on Friday. "So when we don't win we are disappointed, are frustrated, sure, but we know also we can beat the best teams.
"When we play to our levels, we can achieve really high highs."
A victory on Sunday would set up a final against the winner of Saturday's clash between Manchester City and Chelsea. City edged United 2-1 in last year's final.
"Last season was last season. We want to achieve every season, we want to win trophies, we have a big opportunity because we are in a semi-final but it's a huge challenge," said Ten Hag, whose job future has been the subject of speculation this season.
"We know all the problems and always when you have so many problems you have to find solutions, so on Sunday we will find solutions and we want to go into the final."
Ten Hag expects to have Antony and Scott McTominay back from injury on Sunday, and is hopeful about defender Harry Maguire.
"We have some problems. Harry had a small injury so he hasn't trained so far this week, but now he is back on the pitch," the manager said. "We expect him back in team training today. He will be available for Sunday, I hope."
Ten Hag insisted United will "move on" from Alejandro Garnacho's controversial social media activity after last weekend's 2-2 draw with Bournemouth. The 19-year-old winger liked posts that criticised Ten Hag after the manager took the Argentine off at halftime.
"Alejandro is a young player, has to learn a lot. He apologised for it and after that we move on," Ten Hag said.
(Reporting by Lori Ewing; Editing by Christian Radnedge)
