After the team’s FA Cup semi-final loss to Manchester United, Milan van Ewijk, a star for Coventry, says he can “hold his head high” and feels he had Marcus Rashford “reasonably under control” at Wembley.
After Scott McTominay, Harry Maguire, and Bruno Fernandes scored three goals in less than an hour to give Erik ten Hag’s team a commanding three-goal lead, United seemed to have a foot in the final next month.
However, under the direction of former United striker Mark Robins, Coventry stunned the Red Devils by scoring goals through Ellis Simms and Callum O’Hare, and then forcing extra time with a last-gasp penalty converted by Haji Wright.
Deep into extra time, Victor Torp looked to have given the Championship team a victory when he beat Andre Onana from close range, but the goal was disallowed for offside by the video assistant referee.
After United defeated Chelsea in the semi-final on Saturday, Pep Guardiola’s team advanced to face holders Manchester City in the final on penalties.
Before Amad Diallo replaced Rashford in the 89th minute, the England forward was generally ineffectual, and Coventry’s Van Ewijk, a wing-back, played admirably against him, mostly keeping him quiet.
Van Ewijk expressed his pride in his performance to the Dutch journal Voetbal Primeur, even if Coventry—the 1987 FA Cup winners—did not advance to this year’s final.
The Netherlands international claimed, “I kept Rashford reasonably under control, but of course there are moments when he shows his qualities.”
Luckily, I did play a decent game. I can walk home with my head held high because I proved who I am.
The game eventually turns, and that’s when we have our chance.
After that, you have renewed energy and believe that you can still achieve all of your goals.
It’s human nature, in my opinion, to believe there is something to gain. I’m quite pleased with the group.
“Playing here is sick, but losing on penalties annoys me so much.”
Van Ewijk, who is obviously still in pain following the defeat, believes it “really stings” as VAR prevented Coventry from winning in dramatic extra time.
“When that ball finally goes in, I instantly sink to the ground because I’m at a loss for what to do,” he continued.
Afterwards, the crowd erupts in screams, and everyone goes crazy, but all of a sudden, it becomes apparent that VAR will be reviewing the goal.
After that, you begin to have second thoughts and realize how slight the error was. That hurts a lot.
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Erik ten Hag was forced to explain his stance after the game as United narrowly avoided a humiliating defeat to Coventry, prompting calls for his resignation.
Regarding the supporters’ desire for him to leave the team, Ten Hag said to beIN SPORTS, “They can have their opinion.”
However, I would point out that during the decade in which Manchester United enjoyed great success, they only made it to the FA Cup final three times; currently, we have done it twice in two seasons.
“That is a tremendous performance, and we are in there.”
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