Erik ten Hag, the manager of Manchester United, believes that their exhilarating 4-3 triumph against Liverpool in the FA Cup quarter-finals has the potential to revitalize their season, as they aim for both silverware and qualification for the UEFA Champions League next season.
Man Utd manager says 4-3 FA Cup win over Liverpool
“This moment could be pivotal for our team, instilling belief and energy to achieve remarkable feats. Beating Liverpool in the manner we did demonstrates our capability to overcome any opponent. It’s now our responsibility to validate this. As I mentioned on Friday, and as evidenced today, our relentless pursuit continues. We’re applying pressure on Aston Villa and Spurs, who dropped points. Since January, every match is crucial for us, akin to a final. We suffered a setback against Fulham, which is unacceptable. Therefore, we must perform at our peak to accomplish our objectives: securing a spot in the Champions League and pursuing silverware.”
United’s next challenge in the FA Cup will be against Championship outfit Coventry City in the semi-finals at Wembley, scheduled for the weekend of April 20-21.
In the Premier League standings, the Red Devils are currently positioned sixth, trailing Tottenham Hotspur by six points in fifth place and Aston Villa by an additional three points in fourth. They have a game in hand over Unai Emery’s side.
Klopp on missed chances & fatigue
Meanwhile, Jurgen Klopp expressed frustration over Liverpool’s squandered opportunities as their hopes for a quadruple in his last season at the helm were dashed.
“We failed to capitalize on our chances, and when you don’t seal the game away from home at Old Trafford, it’s inevitable that they will create opportunities,” Klopp stated in an interview with the club’s official website.
“They managed to level the score, and Marcus’s [Rashford] significant opportunity at the end of regular time meant they could have won it there. I acknowledge that reality; it’s evident.”
Klopp also cited fatigue and injuries as contributing factors to his team’s struggles during extra time.
“The challenge was deciding who to substitute. Initially, everything seemed manageable within the regular 90 minutes. However, with the onset of extra time, our options dwindled,” he elaborated.
“As you witnessed, we could have potentially substituted Macca, Wataru, Darwin, Lucho, and Joey. These players have been consistently on the field, and today, with the additional time, it became more apparent.”
Liverpool’s next fixture following the international break is against Brighton & Hove Albion in the Premier League on 31 March.
“We’ll focus on the Brighton match once the players return, assessing who will be available for selection. It’s bound to present its own challenges,” Klopp concluded.
