Bruno Fernandes and Erik ten Hag celebrate beating Liverpool (Picture: AFP via Getty Images)

Erik ten Hag will be sleeping better this week after Manchester United?s swashbuckling FA Cup success against Liverpool eased the pressure on him.

The 4-3 victory at Old Trafford and the subsequent semi-final draw against underdogs Coventry mean United are on course to reach the final where they will face either Manchester City or Chelsea.

Ten Hag will be rueing the enforced break created by the forthcoming international fixtures as his side would have revelled in taking their newfound momentum into the next round of league matches, especially as Aston Villa?s draw at West Ham and Tottenham?s defeat at Fulham leaves United in with a chance of qualifying for next season?s Champions League.
They are nine points behind Villa in fourth but with a game in hand and the Midlands club also have the added distraction of Europa Conference League football to deal with as the season enters the final furlong.

Spurs are fifth, six points above United, and have also played a game less than Unai Emery?s team which leads Betway to price the north London club at 10/11 to finish in the top four. Villa are 11/8 to do so with Sky Bet while United are 10/1 with the same firm, William Hill and Bet Victor.

It could be that fifth place is enough to punch a ticket to the Champions League but that has yet to be determined and United have to figure that they have to finish behind just Arsenal. Liverpool ...