Sabitzer knows the meaning of the cup
Marcel Sabitzer is aware of the importance of the Emirates FA Cup to Manchester United and our supporters, as we prepare to face Brighton & Hove Albion at Wembley in the semi-final.
Sabitzer played a crucial role in securing our spot in the last four of this season’s competition, flicking home United’s second goal in the comeback victory over Fulham during last month’s quarter-final at Old Trafford.
The attacking midfielder won the Austrian Cup with former club RB Salzburg back in 2015 and believes knockout tournaments will always have a special aura surrounding them, as he looks to help the Reds into June’s final.
“The cup competition is always nice, [that was the case] in Germany as well,” Sabitzer told club media.
Sabitzer: We'll give our all
Marcel Sabitzer can't wait to be at Wembley again, as we prepare for the FA Cup semi-final...
“I know about the meaning: it’s very important for the club and for the fans, so yeah we’re looking forward to the game and we want to go through.
“It’s always special, the knockout games. It’s nice and we all love these kind of games, so as I said we want to go through.
“We’ll give our all and we want to reach the final.”
Sabitzer has been to Wembley before, playing for Austria during their Euro 2020 round-of-16 defeat to Italy, a game in which the eventual champions were pushed all the way to extra-time before prevailing 2-1.
His second visit was much more memorable, as he entered the fray for the final 20 minutes to help us over the line in February’s Carabao Cup final victory.
Marcel is eager to sample the unique environs of the national stadium once again and hopefully repeat that euphoric feeling.
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“Yes, the atmosphere is great. It’s a big stadium. That’s what you love the most,” he added.
“It would be huge [to win at Wembley again] and that is our aim.
“We want to reach the final and win the final, but we know Brighton is a good opponent, with good quality. It will be a hard game, but we’re ready for it.”
Sabitzer has been deployed by Erik ten Hag as a no.10 in recent weeks, with his more advanced role helping him become a greater goal threat – a menace that was evident as he scored twice during the opening 20 minutes of our Europa League quarter-final first leg with Sevilla.
“Yeah, my position changed a bit in the last three or four games, so I’m a bit higher up. I like it.
“It works out so it’s very nice scoring goals.
“It’s the best thing you can do to help the team, so I want to keep going.”