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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
George Smith

Manchester United squad are already helping Erik ten Hag keep his promise

Manchester United booked their second Wembley visit of the season with Sunday's 3-1 FA Cup quarter-final victory over Fulham at Old Trafford.

After 60 seconds of chaos saw Fulham duo Aleksandar Mitrovic, who had earlier given the Londoners the lead, and Willian sent off, as well as boss Marco Silva, United rallied and turned the game on its head, thanks to two goals from Bruno Fernandes and a first for the club from Bayern Munich loanee Marcel Sabitzer.

United were second best for almost all of the contest and were most definitely helped by Fulham's decision to hit the self-destruct button. Nevertheless, Erik ten Hag's side, just as they did in the previous round against West Ham United, found a way to come from behind and keep their FA Cup dream alive, booking a semi-final date with Brighton at Wembley next month.

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The clash with the Seagulls, which is expected to take place on Sunday, April 23, will mark United's second visit to Wembley in just eight weeks, following their 2-0 triumph over Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup final at the end of February. That marked the end of the Reds' six-year wait for a trophy at the first attempt under Ten Hag.

At that moment in time, United were riding the crest of a wave after recording a famous Europa League win over Barcelona three days earlier. There was a feel-good factor around Old Trafford that had not been experienced in years.

Following that routine victory over the Magpies, Ten Hag, who is a classy and well-respected character, penned an open letter to United's supporters, promising that their Carabao Cup triumph would be just the start of their success under his stewardship, vowing to not let standards drop just because they had finally ended their wait for silverware.

In a letter released the day after the final, Ten Hag wrote: "We know the importance of silverware throughout the history of this great club. We are so happy to bring the trophy back to Old Trafford but we are by no means satisfied and we will not stop here.

"Together we have experienced the feeling of what it means to win together for Manchester United. It is truly magnificent and will only make each of us hungrier for more success.

"This group has made great strides in the last few months but there is still a lot more to come. I can assure you that everyone at Carrington will be working constantly because we know that this club and you, our supporters, deserve more great days like this."

Erik ten Hag will be looking to add more trophies to Manchester United's collection. (James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images.)

Just over three weeks after making that vow, United are still in with a great chance of adding to their trophy collection before the end of the season. Since beating Newcastle, they have seen off West Ham and Fulham to reach the FA Cup semi-finals and have cruised past Real Betis to reach the quarter-finals of the Europa League.

Although the challenges Brighton and Sevilla will pose in the next round of those two aforementioned cup competitions will require United to be at their very best, they are continuing to rise to every challenge that is being put in front of them. Even when their backs are up against the wall, they are finding a way to get the job done.

United will have grand ambitions of going the full distance in both the FA Cup and the Europa League, meaning Ten Hag, although he may not have said it publicly, will no doubt be telling his players that they can end the campaign with a famous treble. They also remain a strong bet to finish inside the top four and secure Champions League qualification for next season, meaning that would be another achievement for the Dutchman to add to his growing collection.

After a gruelling and demanding schedule since club football's resumption following the World Cup, United will welcome this current international break, offering them the chance to recharge the batteries ahead of the final sprint to the finish line. If they continue in the same vein of form as they were showing prior to the break and refuse to let their standards drop, they could soon produce more 'great days' that Ten Hag vowed to deliver.

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