Mueez Ajao
– Erik ten Hag says his Manchester United players must use their Carabao Cup success as “fuel” as they aim to reach the FA Cup semi-finals against Fulham.
– United, third in the Premier League, won their first trophy since 2017 at Wembley last month and are also through to the last eight of the Europa League.
– “We enjoyed winning a trophy and it has to be the fuel for the next one,” said Ten Hag, who was appointed last summer.
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– “We must be pushed by that and that has to bring extra energy to beat Fulham.”
– He added: “We have to set a winning culture. We are Manchester United, we have to win all the games, we have to compete in all the leagues. That is the mentality.”
– United have fallen behind in the Premier League title race, where they are 16 points behind leaders Arsenal, as they seek to add to their League Cup triumph.
– Following Thursday’s victory over Real Betis they will meet six-time winners Sevilla in the Europa League quarter-finals, while rivals Manchester City are among the clubs still remaining in the FA Cup.
– Ten Hag met Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s Ineos delegation on Friday, a day after representatives of rival bidder Qatari banker Sheikh Jassim Bin Hamad Al Thani visited, as the potential sale of the club moved to the next phase.
– Meanwhile, Marco Silva’s Fulham have enjoyed a positive return to the top flight this season, where they are ninth and on course to secure their Premier League safety.
– After his side overcame fellow Premier League club Leeds United to reach the FA Cup quarter-finals for the first time since 2010, former England defender Micah Richards said Silva should be considered for manager of the year.
– “I’m really pleased with this team and this football club,” said Silva.
– “I have ambition to do better, we have to make this club keep growing. It’s a project that I’m really happy to be involved with. It’s my job and my ambition.”
– He added: “If you want to reach the semi-finals or Wembley, you can’t always expect the draw you want.
– “For us to be there, we have to play Manchester United. They’ll have their fans behind them, so we have to go there with respect and play at our best.”
