Erik ten Hag has revealed how a taste of Wembley success has left his Manchester United stars hungry for more.
The new Dutch manager ended a six-year wait for silverware when he led United to the Carabao Cup Final win over Newcastle last month. And with Fulham visiting Old Trafford in the FA Cup quarter-finals on Sunday, there is the chance of more silverware at the famous old stadium.
He said: “Of course it is huge motivation. We all really enjoyed Wembley and all really enjoyed winning a trophy. And that has to be the fuel for the next one to get pushed by that idea and that has to bring extra energy to beat Fulham.
“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 has to be the mentality. The mentality is when you go into a game you have to win it.”
Ten Hag will be hoping that Marcus Rashford closes in on becoming the first United player in a decade to score 30 goals in a season in the coming games - Robin van Persie in 2012-13.
His winner at Real Betis on Thursday made it 27 for the season - already comfortably the best of Rashford’s career - and his manager insists he has not been surprised by the star’s success.
“I think I said it in the summer, when you asked if I believe in Rashford or Martial, one of them, could score 20 plus goals and I said yes I believe it,” said ten Hag. “He has progressed during the season. He was also not in the best shape when he started the season.
“But the way of playing gives him a base and then he brings his skills in and his attitude and mentality and that is bringing him a lot of progress. That gives the team a lot of joy and gives him a lot of goals and us a lot of wins.”
The Fulham tie also brings ten Hag face to face with in-form Andreas Pereira, a player well known to him but whom he allowed to leave Old Trafford for Craven Cottage last summer.
Ten Hag said: “He is a good player and I have known him a long time, I had him in the youth team of PSV before he transferred to Man United. And I am really happy for him and I think it was the right step and he had to play on a regular basis.
“He didn’t do it over several years at Man United and there comes a point you have to make a step maybe back to make a step in the future. I think he is doing a good job.”
Ten Hag must decide who replaces the suspended Casemiro against Fulham, with Fred and Scott McTominay in line for selection.
