Manchester United Defender Ignores Erik ten Hag’s Request

Manchester United maintained their fine form and beat Everton in the FA Cup to register their seventh straight win in all competitions.

Everton came to Old Trafford in search of a much-needed win to ease pressure on Frank Lampard, but the Reds established an early foothold in the tie and rattled Jordan Pickford’s net inside five minutes. Everton’s equaliser 10 minutes later didn’t change the mood at the Theatre of Dreams too much, as United controlled much of the game and added two more goals to progress to the fourth round of the FA Cup.

Marcus Rashford extended his scoring streak. United’s midfield dictated the tempo, at least until Casemiro was on the pitch. And bar De Gea’s howler, the hosts defended well. Ten Hag must be pleased with what his players did on the pitch, however, the same can’t be said with certainty about his thoughts on one of his player’s comments after the game.

United, who are scheduled to face Charlton Athletic in the Carabao Cup, are expected to reach the semi-finals of the competition comfortably, and considering their recent form under Ten Hag, a good run in the FA Cup is also a real possibility for a side bereft of a trophy since 2017.

When asked about the prospect of lifting a trophy in his maiden season at United, Ten Hag, keen to manage expectations, insisted: “I know Man United are always aiming for trophies and we are going for that.

“We cannot force this and have to focus on the next game, not focus on trophies, that is far away. We have to work on the team and development.”

However, Diogo Dalot, opposing his manager’s sentiments, didn’t shy away from speaking about the club’s trophy aspirations.

“It is our goal, to play for finals, to play in tournaments and win trophies – we want to make progress and today was one step further for us,” the United defender said.

“It has to become an obsession for us to win trophies for our fans!

“They deserve it, they have been a long time without seeing it and I think for us players we have a good chance this season and like I say we have a good chance to put Manchester United back on top, fighting for trophies and we want to do that.”