Fred calls for a positive mindset against City

The Reds trail 3-1 after the first game at Old Trafford, meaning we have to win by at least two clear goals at the Etihad Stadium to stand a chance of facing Aston Villa at Wembley on 1 March.

“We have to believe. If we don't believe in ourselves, who else will?” Fred told us. “We'll do everything possible to reverse City’s lead and do our best to get the win and make the final.

“As I said, winning a trophy is really important for us. We have to do our best as it will help us this season, it will help us with all the challenges we face.

“Winning something would represent a big improvement.”

The Brazilian midfielder can draw on the experience of another famous comeback, having played the full 90 minutes in the 3-1 win against Paris Saint-Germain last March.

Although Fred admits this evening’s task posed its own problems, he said the players could draw on the experience at the Parc des Princes, as well as December’s 2-1 away win over Pep Guardiola’s side in the Premier League.

“They're different games, one was in the Champions League in another country,” added the 26-year-old. “They're different types of games. The other game is against City in the same country, who play in the same championship as us, and we lost against them in the first leg.

“We need to think about the PSG game as it was a great comeback and also think about the big performance in the last match away against City.

“We know it will be very difficult but we'll go for the win and believe in ourselves until the final whistle.

“We'd be really happy with a win and a place in the Carabao Cup final.”

United’s visit to the Etihad will be a world away from our last outing – Sunday’s 6-0 Emirates FA Cup win at Tranmere.

While the Reds comfortably negotiated passage through to the fifth round, where we’ll play either Derby County or Northampton Town, the surface at Prenton Park was a concern for substitute Fred.

“It’s good to come on at half-time when you’re winning 5-0, it actually makes you want to play on a bit longer.

“We had a great game, a great first half scoring five goals. It was tough, the pitch wasn't great.

“It's difficult playing on a pitch like that. It was in a very poor condition, very bobbly. There’s the risk of injury but thankfully we all came through fine without any injuries.

“It’s important for the team that everybody is 100 per cent as we have a big game [against City], so it's important that we have a fully-fit squad ready for the next game.”

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