Erik ten Hag reveals how Manchester United squad prepared for penalty shootout vs Brighton

Erik ten Hag revealed Manchester United had been practicing penalties all season after they struck a magnificent seven to book a spot in the FA Cup final.

United's semi-final with Brighton ended in a Wembley stalemate, but Ten Hag's team converted all of their penalties before Solly March blinked first and fired over the crossbar.

Casemiro, Diogo Dalot, Jadon Sancho, Marcus Rashford, Marcel Sabitzer, Wout Weghorst and Victor Lindelof all scored for United and after a season full of cup ties, practice finally made perfect for Ten Hag.

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"Not only this week, we do it during the whole season, it’s a part of our coaching and training, because we play a lot of cup games, in England especially," the United manager said.

"Until now it was not necessary because we won every cup game, first draw and it’s necessary and we benefitted from it."

United recovered from their shocking Europa League exit to Sevilla in midweek to beat Brighton in what was their 53rd game of the season.

They look tired as the game ticked into extra-time but Ten Hag refused to let it be an excuse and told his players to get their mindset right.

"It’s not easy, that can be part of the reason for Thursday, but it’s all in your mind, it’s all in your head," he said.

"Today we have seen even when we are not fully recovered from Thursday, we can bring the performance and even more. It’s about get the right focus, get the right energy, do the right stuff, have a good plan and go, be determined to win the games."

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