Darmian To Face Italian Friend

Manchester United full-back Matteo Darmian looks ahead to Sunday’s Emirates FA Cup quarter-final and seeing a familiar face in the West Ham United squad…

How important is to bounce back from the defeat at Liverpool when Sunday’s cup tie comes around?
We know the FA Cup is an important trophy for us. We want to win it. We have to do better and win the game, that’s the most important thing.

A win on Sunday would definitely be a big lift to everyone…
Yes a win would give us the confidence to look forward. We are focused on that – we want to play against West Ham and win.

How much did you know about the FA Cup before you came to England?
I knew it was a very important trophy. The FA Cup always has big atmospheres and anything can happen in the matches.

What have you made of the matches we’ve played so far and the atmospheres in the games?
Every game has been difficult but we have done well. Now we play against West Ham, another difficult match. They are in good form but we have to be focused and try to win. We are playing at Old Trafford in front of our own fans which is good for us.

How much would you relish the chance to play at Wembley in the semi-finals and hopefully a final?
I have never played at Wembley so I hope I have the chance to play there.

What have you made of West Ham in recent weeks?
I think they are a good team. They’re organised and play well. But if we are focused and play like we know we can and what we showed a few weeks ago I think we have a big chance to beat them.

They will have a familiar face in their squad - your former club colleague and international team-mate Angelo Ogbonna…
[Smiles] Yes, he is my friend. I played with him at Torino so off the pitch we are friends but on the pitch we are rivals!

How did it feel to play against him in the 0-0 draw between the sides in December?
It was a difficult match, 0-0 at home, so we want to improve and beat West Ham. It was nice to see Angelo and he has told me he is very happy to play for West Ham, just like I am very happy to be at United.

He’s only scored one goal for West Ham but that was a big one - the winner against Liverpool in the last round to set up Sunday’s match…
Yes, I spoke to him and texted him to say well done because it was his first goal and a very important one. But now it’s about us winning and getting to the next round.

What would it mean to you to win the FA Cup this season with United?
It would be fantastic. I think for us it’s a great chance to win an important trophy. That is our focus.

There are big games every week at this stage of the season – how much is everyone relishing that challenge?
Every game is difficult, but we are Manchester United and we have to win as many games as possible. That is what we are trying to do and hopefully we can get the victory on Sunday.