Erik ten Hag has told his Manchester United players to “give everything in their power” to win the FA Cup next weekend and warned them you never know whether it might be your last final.
Ten Hag said a year ago when he was unveiled at Old Trafford that his mission was to win trophies and he wants to add a second to the cabinet this season, even if his project is longer-term than the cup final.
But for his players, there is no guarantee of another opportunity presenting itself and he’s told them to grab it with both hands at Wembley next week.
Erik ten Hag said: “When I was here one year ago I said we wanted to win trophies. We have won one so we want to go for the highest. It is a long way and is going to be a project. It is not over one year. We talk two or three years. But when there’s an opportunity to win a trophy, for every player it’s massive. I have to count but there are not so many players in our squad who have won the FA Cup. An FA Cup is huge. For everyone in the world there is one Champions League, there is one so many titles, but when the FA Cup is all over the world, it’s global wide, a huge reputation. I know from the Netherlands how big the FA Cup is. So we have an opportunity to win it. We are also realistic that it’s not going to be easy. But I can assure you one thing we will give everything that’s in our power to get the cup.”
Ten Hag has insisted the final won’t define United’s season but there is clearly a desire to end City’s treble dreams, especially amongst supporters. It is also a chance to send a statement ahead of next season when Ten Hag will attempt to further bridge the gap to City over the course of a Premier League season.
Erik ten Hag said: “We have to look to ourselves. We want to win the cup but that is for next Saturday and we have to do everything that is in our power. I think in many aspects we can improve with this group of players, with this team. I know where we have to improve. There is a lot of room for improvement, yes.”
