"I am sure that these players will give everything to beat Manchester City next week. We count on you as well. With you on our back, I am sure we have a really good chance to take the cup back to Old Trafford."
Erik ten Hag fired up the Manchester United crowd with a spine-tingling speech on the Old Trafford turf after his side's last game of the Premier League season against Fulham on Sunday. The fans believe that the Dutchman can deliver a second trophy of the campaign in the FA Cup final, despite the fact United will be coming up against the best team in Europe.
Manchester City are bidding to become only the second side in English football history to win the treble, after United back in 1998-99. They will be overwhelming favourites at Wembley on June 3 and in their Champions League final clash against Inter seven days later, and rightly so. Pep Guardiola has built a winning machine, with world-class players in every position. Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, Arsenal and United themselves have been among City's victims during their march towards this enviable position.
United were battered 6-3 at the Etihad Stadium back in October as Erling Haaland and Phil Foden both helped themselves to hat-tricks. City were superior to their arch-rivals that day, but it was a different story at Old Trafford in January.
Ten Hag's side proved they can mix it with City during a hard-fought 2-1 triumph, and they must follow a similar blueprint to upset the odds at Wembley next week. United have had a good season - but it will become a great one if they can spoil City's party.