Tyler Malacia sends message to Man United fans about FA Cup final as video of Luke Shaw's altercation with Aston Villa player emerges

The intriguing FA Cup final versus Manchester City is getting closer, but according to Tyrell Malacia, Manchester United won't lose concentration.

Since taking over last summer, Erik ten Hag has presided over an astonishing transformation of Old Trafford's culture and quality.

After winning the Carabao Cup, United is aiming for a top-four finish, and their match against rival City on June 3 provides another opportunity to win a trophy.

Malacia claims that despite the fact that the all-Manchester FA Cup final is approaching quickly, the team will focus on their final Premier League drive nonetheless.

“No, I think we have a lot of experienced players who have been in these kind of situations,” the full-back said ahead of Thursday’s trip to Brighton.

“We keep each other like a team and we focus on qualification for the Champions League."

“I think Brighton are a good team, very good football, quality players, so it’s going to be a tough game.

“We have to focus on ourselves now, watch game-to-game and we need to win.”

Only 11 days have passed since Brighton's FA Cup semifinal loss to United on penalties; since then, United has drawn 2-2 with Tottenham and defeated Aston Villa 1-0. Brighton will be seeking retribution.

With six games remaining, Bruno Fernandes' goal at Old Trafford snapped Villa's 10-match undefeated streak and tightened the Red Devils' hold on a Champions League qualification berth.

“I think from now until the last game of the season it’s important points, so we have to win every game now,” Malacia said.

“It’s not good that we dropped points (at Tottenham), but (against Villa) we played good and (won) important points.”

In addition to earning three points, United also kept a clean sheet for the 15th time in the Premier League, which was an impressive feat given Villa's performance and the absence of starters Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez at center defense.

“We have a lot of quality in the team, so if someone drops out we know we have someone there with quality,” Malacia said, who played left-back as Luke Shaw impressed centrally once again.

“Yeah (they are big players missing), but still we are Man United so we have a lot qualities and that’s important.”

On Shaw, the Netherlands international said: “We’re helping each other before the game, before training. We always talk to each other, so it’s good."

“From the beginning when I came here he always talked to me and spoke with me.”

Tyler Malacia made his 19th Premier League appearance for United on Sunday, making it 36 games overall since signing last July.

The 23-year-old left Feyenoord for 15 million euros (£12.95 million), plus 2 million euros (£1.7 million) in add-ons, to become the first signing of the Ten Hag era.

“I said to myself maybe 20 games this season and I’ve played more than 20,” Malacia said.

“I’m happy I’m here, I’m learning a lot. My first year in the Premier League, I’ve played a lot of games. I’ve learnt a lot of things, so happy to be here.”

Asked if he has felt extra pressure playing for United, he said: “All good. I don’t feel the pressure. For me, it’s OK."

“I’m just happy to be on the pitch and play football. That’s what I want to do and that’s what I dream all of my life, so why should I be pressured?”

Tyler Malacia is grateful to Ten Hag, whose meticulous attitude and approach the team have embraced, for allowing him to play for United. When Malacia was told the manager seemed to be demanding, he responded:"Always, always (with) everyone."

"It’s a good thing because it keeps us sharp and you have to be on your A-game, especially because he said we are a big club so we need to win prizes. Then we have to be on our A-game.

“Everything (he is demanding about). It’s good because you see it work, so it’s always good then.”

Meanwhile his teammate during an altercation during Sunday's Premier League clash with Unai Emery's side made it clear that he would not be put off by attempts to intimidate him by Aston Villa player Jhon Duran.

In need of a victory after blowing a two-goal lead against Tottenham Hotspur the previous week, United played Unai Emery's in-form Villa at Old Trafford on Sunday.

With only a few games left in the Premier League season, Erik ten Hag's team knew a victory would move them closer to next season's Champions League.

The three points were guaranteed by Bruno Fernandes' first-half goal and his passionate celebration in front of the visiting crowd.

Although United were put to the test by their opponents before the game was over, Shaw's response to Duran demonstrated that they would always be difficult to overcome.

The young Colombian, who tried to intimidate the former Southampton star, as you can see in the video below, was brutally fired as a result.

The 27-year-old defender's season has been unusual in several ways as he started United's first two games, which caused them to fall to the bottom of the standings.

Tyrell Malacia took over his spot on the first squad, but he was able to regain it and is now a key player for Erik ten Hag's club.The England international has started seven games as center back in a back four, meaning left back hasn't been his main position for once.

He has occasionally been preferred over club captain Harry Maguire, however the center-back's most recent absence from the starting lineup was mainly due to injury. The victory over Villa was the most recent instance of this.

United supporters were thrilled to see that Fernandes kept the captain's armband rather than passing it on when Maguire did enter the game in the second half.

Luke Shaw has lately received accolades for his classy pep talk to Jadon Sancho before the forward's penalty in the FA Cup semifinal against Brighton eight days ago. This is just one example of how Shaw's leadership abilities have been noticed.

Luke Shaw has lately received accolades for his classy pep talk to Jadon Sancho before the forward's penalty in the FA Cup semifinal against Brighton eight days ago. This is just one example of how Shaw's leadership abilities have been noticed.

The former Borussia Dortmund forward had previously missed a penalty kick at Wembley during the Euro 2020 final shootout, for which he was subjected to abhorrent racist taunts.

United's victory over Villa gave them a seven-point lead over fifth-placed Liverpool, and the remaining games for the chasing group are running short.