Erik ten Hag felt Manchester United "survived" their FA Cup quarter-final against Fulham thanks to David de Gea.
De Gea foiled Antonee Robinson and Willian in the opening minutes of the second half before Aleksandar Mitrovic struck in the 50th minute. De Gea then brilliantly denied Mitrovic with Fulham still 1-0 up.
Fulham imploded after Willian handled Jadon Sancho's goalbound effort in the 70th minute and he was one of three Fulham figures sent off two minutes later. Manager Marco Silva was dismissed for dissent and Mitrovic also saw red for shoving referee Chris Kavanagh.
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United scored two goals in three minutes to turn the game on its head and Bruno Fernandes sealed a 3-1 win in added time.
"We created great opportunities and at half time we should have been up because I can't remember a save from David in the first half," Ten Hag said. "And in second half, we came [into] difficulties out of the dressing room.
"It was tough. We conceded the goal from the set play and we needed David to survive the game because he had two great saves. And then the key moment it was a great attacking transition and really well done by Antony, really well done by Jadon (Sancho), and it was a clear and obvious penalty."
United will face Brighton in the semi-finals in April, a month where they play nine games due to their Europa League commitments and two midweek Premier League fixtures scheduled.
Since the season resumed after the World Cup, United have played 25 fixtures and only lost at Arsenal in January and at Liverpool earlier this month. They have won 19 and drawn four.
Manchester City eased into the FA Cup semi-finals with a 6-0 thrashing of Burnley on Saturday and have drawn Championship side Sheffield United in the last four. Ten Hag has no intention of prematurely discussing a possible all-Manchester FA Cup final.
"One thing is important: don't think too far ahead, go from game to game," Ten Hag reiterated. "I think we had a really massive run. From Christmas up, we had 25 games or so and I think two defeats, the rest draws and especially a lot of wins.
"You see the progress in the team. This team has a strong character, strong belief, a strong determination to win games. Today was an example of it. When you have a difficult period in a game, stay in the game, fight back and turn the game.
"We are definitely in the position we want to be. We battle for it, we deserve it, trophies will be won at the end of the season, we are in a position to win trophies.
"But we have to fight for it. We need a whole squad because we already played from Christmas on every third or fourth day and that will continue to the end of the season.
"That is what we love, that will give us energy, when you can compete for trophies, when you are in a position where you want to be."
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