Manchester
United manager Erik ten Hag believes the epic 4-3 FA Cup quarter-final victory
over arch-rivals Liverpool can be the turning point of their season.
Trailing deep in normal
time and again in extra time, United eventually went through in thrilling style
thanks to Amad Diallo's 121st-winner.
It keeps alive United's
hopes of lifting silverware this season and, with their main rivals for a
Champions League spot, Tottenham and Aston Villa, both dropping points, Ten Hag
feels the win, which triggered euphoric seasons among the home supporters at
the final whistle, could be significant.
"This could be that
moment," said Ten Hag. "It can give the team the belief and energy to
do amazing things. When you beat Liverpool you can beat any opponent."
Ten Hag said he believed
his side's performance in the first half hour was their best of the season.
However, the situation
appeared bleak when Alexis Mac Allister and Mo Salah both scored in the final
stages of the opening period to give the visitors the advantage.
It took substitute Antony
to rescue the situation three minutes from time then, after Harvey Elliott had
put Liverpool ahead again, Marcus Rashford equalised eight minutes before the
end of extra time before Diallo finished off a length of the field breakaway to
book a Wembley semi-final showdown with Championship side Coventry, managed by
old United FA Cup hero Mark Robins.
"This season we have
had so many setbacks and every time we have had to adapt. Yesterday, Jonny
Evans dropped out at the last minute and then we have to bring in a player (Aaron
Wan-Bissaka) who didn't play for four or five weeks and had only one or two
training sessions.
"But we can deal
better with such situations than we did in the autumn when it was difficult.
"I am very proud of
the run we are in but we still have to catch up. I am happy Spurs lost and
Villa dropped points. We are happy to be in the semi-final but we have to keep
going."
For Diallo, it was his
best day in a United shirt.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was
manager when the club paid £19m for the Ivory Coast international in 2021.
He has since had loan
spells at Rangers and with Sunderland, where he won last season's young player
of the year award.
But injury has disrupted
his progress this season and Sunday's substitute appearance was only his fourth
of the entire campaign.
"I am so happy for
him," said Ten Hag. "He is one of the players who had huge setbacks.
"He has returned
knowing there is lot of competition in his position and he doesn't always get
the time he deserves. But he shows his contribution by coming on and scoring a
goal.