Manchester United's manager and his players have explained how they are planning to approach the second leg of the Carabao Cup's semifinals against Nottingham Forest at Old Trafford.
The Dutch manager is close to playing his first cup final as a Manchester United manager. The former Ajax boss and the Red Devils already have a 3-0 advantage ahead of the second leg of the semi-final tie with Nottingham Forest and are closer to setting up a meeting with Newcastle United, who have nailed their spot in the Carabao Cup final scheduled to be played at Wembley later in February.
Avoiding an upset from Steve Cooper's Nottingham Forest on Wednesday night will bring the Red Devils closer to ending their six-year trophy drought, and Erik Ten Hag is set to ensure this happens.
The team is already in a better position to proceed to the final following their 3-0 victory at City Ground, but the Red Devils manager has insisted that he and his players will cautiously approach the game at Old Trafford.
"We have to go into this game with know-how; it’s another cup and we want to go to Wembley," the boss explained while speaking in his matchday interview with the club's media.
"It’s a long time ago that Manchester United went to a final, and to win the final—that is our aim." So we have to do everything for it, and that means we have to be fully focused, have full energy, and have a top game plan.
"We face a good team, Nottingham Forest, who are having a really good run." "We have to be aware of that, so it’s up to us," he said.
After the World Cup, United made an impressive comeback. Ten Hag's team has gone undefeated at home since the competition, and seven straight victories in M16 have given our supporters cause for optimism.
A first Wembley final since 2018 would mean a lot to Old Trafford faithfuls, according to Erik, who claims he senses a certain spirit around the team.
"It’s great, and that vibe with the fans is there, and [on Wednesday evening], it has to be there," the boss added.
"And not only with the fans, but also with us; but we know what we have to do." We have to be professional and ready for this game, so we need to play on the front foot.
"That is the mark and has to be our approach to our players, and then we have to get the job done."
Manchester United's defender Raphael Varane has also stated the team should be calm in executing the manager's instructions while they ensure they join Newcastle United in the final at Wembley.
The 29-year-old defender, who has enjoyed a glamorous and trophy-laden career, has advised his teammates on what it takes to scoop trophies.
"I think we have to believe; I think we need that confidence to win trophies," Varane stated. "I think we are already improving a lot, and we are in a good moment."
"We have to stay calm but be ambitious at the same time." "I think we are much better now, and we have to keep going."
The former Real Madrid defender and multiple UEFA Champions League winner indicated that the connection between the players and the fans, plus the positive mood in the team's dressing room, will have fundamentally negative impacts on the Red Devils' chances of winning a trophy this season.
"Yeah, definitely," he says. "I think we have the same objective; we want to win trophies."
"I think we are pulling in the same direction, so I think we can create some special atmospheres, some special emotions, and adrenaline on the pitch, and that is very helpful to win trophies," he explained.
Then he added: "Yeah, I think when you are happy, you are better, so I think when we finish a game, when we win a great battle, I think for the spirit of the team it is something special."
"And obviously, with a great atmosphere, you feel even more proud of your success, and that creates a positive dynamic." "So I think for the rest of the season and for the future, that will be very helpful."
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