Ten Hag's time is surely up after this show of ineptitude

Second-half display nearly costs United after letting 3-0 lead slip

- Nizaar Kinsella

THE VAR saved Manchester United from disaster, but this near-capitulation at Wembley surely ended Erik ten Hag's hopes of keeping his job.

United were abject again as they pressed the self-destruct button in one of the most remarkable FA Cup ties in history.

Leading 3-0 against Championship opponents Coventry with 20 minutes left, they were taken to extra-time and avoided defeat only when Victor Torp's last-gasp effort was ruled out for offside by the finest of margins.

United eventually triumphed on penalties, but this was another day that raised more questions about whether Ten Hag is the man to lead a new era under Sir Jim Ratcliffe.

The INEOS boss was watching from the Royal Box after completing the London Marathon. He ran a time of four and a half hours but, after making a dash across the capital, was probably more exhausted watching United unfold.