‘It’s not about stopping Man City – it’s about us winning the Cup!’ Erik ten Hag rubbishes the idea that Man United will be motivated by halting their rivals’ treble bid ahead of Saturday’s FA Cup final
- Victory would take City one step closer to matching United’s 1999 achievement
- But the Dutch manager stressed that winning a second trophy is more important
- The crosstown rivals will meet at Wembley for the first time since 2011 semi-final
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag claims he is not interested in stopping Manchester City‘s treble bid in tomorrow’s FA Cup final at Wembley.
Ten Hag takes his United team to London tomorrow hoping to win the second trophy of his first season at Old Trafford. United won the Carabao Cup back in February.
And the Dutchman says this is all that interests him, despite the fact City are aiming for a treble of Premier League, Cup and Champions League that would match United’s achievement of 1999.
Victory for United tomorrow would keep their unique achievement in tact but Ten Hag said: ‘We want to win a cup,
‘it is not about stopping City. It is about us winning the cup. It’s a great opportunity.’
Erik ten Hag has said that Man United won’t be focusing on halting City’s treble, but their own glory when they meet in the FA Cup final
The Dutch manager won his first trophy with the side in February, beating Newcastle in the Carabao Cup at Wembley
No English club apart from United has ever won a treble. United beat Liverpool in the 1977 Cup Final to stop the Merseyside club’s charge while last season Liverpool had four trophies in their sights and only ended up with the two domestic cups.
United would match that if they win tomorrow but Ten Hag stopped short of saying this game is the biggest of his career.
The former Ajax manager said: ‘It is great that we have this opportunity to be in a cup final and meet City.
‘it is a great opportunity and we fought so hard for it. We have progressed so well.
‘This is a good test for us. I think City have done a very good job. They play very good football so they deserve it but I don’t look at them.
‘Of course I look at our opponents but we look to ourselves and you have to see where you are as a club and from there you have to make progress and I think we did last season. Wembley is probably the best stadium in the world and to be there is very exciting.
‘We are in a good direction and we have our opportunity in the summer to make new targets, new goals, but the longer term they will stay the same. We want to restore Manchester United but the goals will stay the same. We have had a good season and now we have the chance to make it a very good season.’
United are expected to be without forwards Antony and Anthony Martial tomorrow.
The Red Devils will be looking to add another piece of silverware to their trophy cabinet
