Ten Hag sets out United's road to success
Manchester United boss, Erik ten Hag, believes Sunday's Carabao Cup final against Newcastle United is just the very start of his side's 'road to success'.
The Reds head to Wembley for this first time since 2018 this weekend, bidding to claim our first piece of silverware in six years, following our 2017 UEFA Europa League success in Stockholm.
Ten Hag's men have beaten Aston Villa, Burnley, Charlton Athletic and Nottingham Forest to reach Sunday's showpiece and come into the game brimming with confidence following our magnificent 2-1 win over Barcelona at Old Trafford yesterday evening.
Still involved in a further two cup competitions, whilst also sitting third in the Premier League, the boss played down his team's good form of late, insisting there is still a long way to go in terms of our future endeavours.
Ten Hag's cup final press conference
Press conference part one | Erik discusses Wembley, Rashford's fitness, Martial's injury and Nick Pope's ban...
"I see it so far as not a success. It is more the road, to hopefully success,'' he said earlier today, speaking at his pre-match press conference ahead of this weekend's final.
''It is always success when you win trophies, but Sunday, we have [an] opportunity to get success and that is obviously [in part] with the squad what we use, you need a squad when you play in four competitions.
''You can't do it with 11 with respect to the load of the players. But also, for a tactical point a view, we can chose formations where we can be most effective.''
Erik's tactical nuance was evident against Barça yesterday evening, as the Dutchman opted to introduce match-winner Antony from the bench to great effect at Old Trafford.
Alejandro Garnacho's fresh legs were also utilised to help stretch the game in the final 25 minutes, with Ten Hag now facing something of a selection headache as to who he picks to start at Wembley on Sunday.
Praising his side's efforts so far this season, the boss also cited how his players must do all the can to help finish the job against the Magpies.
''It's great as you have seen. We take every game serious, we take every league serious,'' he added.
''Now we have progressed to get to the final and it is great to play in a final. But if you play [in one] you want to win.
"It's about glory and honour in football. We deserved to play the final and now we have a great opportunity to win the cup so we have to put everything in to get that cup to Manchester."