United hope thrilling Cup win over Liverpool will turn season around
Manager says this could be the pivotal moment where the team can believe they can do amazing things
18 March 2024 - 15:44
byLori Ewing
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Manchester United’s Amad Diallo scores their fourth goal in the FA Cup quarterfinal against Liverpool at Old Trafford in Manchester on Sunday. Picture: MOLLY DARLINGTON/REUTERS
Manchester — Manchester United’s stunning 4-3 comeback victory over Liverpool in extra time in the FA Cup quarterfinals on Sunday kept their trophy dreams alive and manager Erik ten Hag hopes it will also be the catalyst to turn around their Premier League fortunes.
Amad Diallo practically blew the roof off Old Trafford when he netted the winner in the 121st minute after Marcus Rashford equalised eight minutes earlier and the 12-times FA Cup winners booked a semifinal spot against second-tier Coventry City.
“This could be that [pivotal] moment where the team can really believe, and the energy too, that they can do amazing things,” delighted Dutchman Ten Hag said.
“And I think when you can beat Liverpool in the way we did, that you can beat any opponent, so it’s up to us to prove the point. I said this also on Friday [in the pregame press conference] — and today we did.”
United are sixth in the Premier League standings, a huge 17 points behind Liverpool in second but, more importantly, they are nine points off fourth-placed Aston Villa in the race for a Champions League spot for next season, albeit with a game in hand.
Former United captain Roy Keane suggested Sunday’s thriller could galvanise the team, particularly the youngsters.
“A lot of players have never had Old Trafford bouncing like that. The feel-good factor for these players can be massive for the rest of the season,” Keane said on ITV.
United has indeed been a dreary place on many nights this season, but Sunday’s battle will go down as a classic.
“When it’s Manchester Untied against Liverpool, it’s one of the world’s best football matches. It is historical,” Ten Hag said. “I thought the first 35 minutes were the best I have seen from my team this season.”
United’s rivals and FA Cup holders Manchester City face Chelsea in the other semifinal at Wembley in April.
The semifinals draw is: Coventry City vs Manchester United; Manchester City vs Chelsea. The semifinals will be played at Wembley on the weekend of April 20-21.
The final will also be played at Wembley on May 25, six days after the last day of the Premier League season.
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
United hope thrilling Cup win over Liverpool will turn season around
Manager says this could be the pivotal moment where the team can believe they can do amazing things
Manchester — Manchester United’s stunning 4-3 comeback victory over Liverpool in extra time in the FA Cup quarterfinals on Sunday kept their trophy dreams alive and manager Erik ten Hag hopes it will also be the catalyst to turn around their Premier League fortunes.
Amad Diallo practically blew the roof off Old Trafford when he netted the winner in the 121st minute after Marcus Rashford equalised eight minutes earlier and the 12-times FA Cup winners booked a semifinal spot against second-tier Coventry City.
“This could be that [pivotal] moment where the team can really believe, and the energy too, that they can do amazing things,” delighted Dutchman Ten Hag said.
“And I think when you can beat Liverpool in the way we did, that you can beat any opponent, so it’s up to us to prove the point. I said this also on Friday [in the pregame press conference] — and today we did.”
United are sixth in the Premier League standings, a huge 17 points behind Liverpool in second but, more importantly, they are nine points off fourth-placed Aston Villa in the race for a Champions League spot for next season, albeit with a game in hand.
Former United captain Roy Keane suggested Sunday’s thriller could galvanise the team, particularly the youngsters.
“A lot of players have never had Old Trafford bouncing like that. The feel-good factor for these players can be massive for the rest of the season,” Keane said on ITV.
United has indeed been a dreary place on many nights this season, but Sunday’s battle will go down as a classic.
“When it’s Manchester Untied against Liverpool, it’s one of the world’s best football matches. It is historical,” Ten Hag said. “I thought the first 35 minutes were the best I have seen from my team this season.”
United’s rivals and FA Cup holders Manchester City face Chelsea in the other semifinal at Wembley in April.
The semifinals draw is: Coventry City vs Manchester United; Manchester City vs Chelsea. The semifinals will be played at Wembley on the weekend of April 20-21.
The final will also be played at Wembley on May 25, six days after the last day of the Premier League season.
Reuters
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