Lingard Opens Up On 'Togetherness' At Old Trafford

Jesse Lingard says there is a real togetherness within the Manchester United squad at present.

United are fighting on four fronts, having reached the EFL Cup final in midweek and the fifth round of the FA Cup on Sunday, while they face Saint Etienne in the Europa League round of 32 in February, sitting sixth in the Premier League.

Speaking with Sky Sports News HQ, Lingard insists the squad are full of confidence having lost just one game since October, adding that the club are "on a roll".

"The lads and everyone are very confident at the moment," said the 24-year-old. "Everyone is on a roll at the moment.

"It's the team spirit, winning matches, there's a real togetherness in the squad, we've really gelled in the last three or four months.

"Everyone speaks to everyone, we've really come together, and starting to show it on the field too."

Lingard has played 20 times this season under Mourinho, scoring three times, having played 40 times under Louis van Gaal last term.

And the youngster says the United squad are still trying to impress the Portuguese manager in training.

"He's still the same, he's laidback, but when things aren't going his way obviously he'll tell you. The lads are still trying to impress him, and still get a feel for it," Lingard said.

"The squad is coming together, the manager is coming together, and it's a great feeling at the moment.

"We've got the strength in depth to rotate. Everybody works so hard on the training pitch and then obviously it is down to the manager to rotate.

"But as long as you work hard, you're patient, and when your chance comes, don't disappoint and perform."

Lingard added that United have the squad to go strong in the cup competitions this season, with 14 points separating them and leaders Chelsea in the Premier League, meaning a title charge is unlikely.

"We're still in four competitions, so everybody is going to play.

"I all competitions are still tight, with that we'll take every game as it comes, and we're still in a good line for the three competitions.

"The squad we've got at the moment, the confidence and the run we're on, nobody can beat us, and it's definitely possible (to go all the way in the three competitions)."

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Bailly Makes Reserves Comeback

Manchester United defender Eric Bailly made his first appearance for the club in 2017 when the Reserves took on Everton in Premier League 2 at Leigh Sports Village.

The centre-back has been away with Ivory Coast at the Africa Cup of Nations but returned to the Aon Training Complex following the holders' surprise exit in the group stages.

Bailly looked confident and commanding, throwing himself into a couple of robust challenges, but he picked up a knock on his ankle and was substituted as a precaution in the 58th minute, with Tyrell Warren taking his place.

The injury was confirmed as nothing serious with the African star having his ankle taped while watching the remainder of the game from the dug-out.

Everton extended their lead at the top of the table with a 3-1 victory on the night, in a match that contained four penalties, two of them missed.

FA Cup 5th Round Draw: United Drawn Against Blackburn Rovers

Manchester United's next Emirates FA Cup opponents were confirmed on Monday evening when the draw for the fifth round was made.

Jose Mourinho's men will be away to Blackburn Rovers, with the tie due to be played on the weekend of 18 and 19 February - between United's two Europa League matches against Saint-Etienne.

It will be the first time the Reds and Rovers have met since April 2012, when goals from Antonio Valencia and Ashley Young secured a 2-0 win for Sir Alex Ferguson's side in the Premier League at Ewood Park. In the previous season, United were crowned champions after drawing 1-1 at Blackburn's ground, courtesy of Wayne Rooney's penalty.

The two clubs have been drawn against each other in the FA Cup on six past occasions and Rovers boast the better record with four victories (1893, 1894, 1912, 1928) to United's two (1909, 1985).

Blackburn reached the fifth round by winning 2-1 away at Queens Park Rangers and then beating fellow Lancashire club Blackpool 2-0 at home two days ago. The run has given them respite from a challenging season in the Championship - they are currently just one place above bottom club Rotherham.

The Reds are attempting to retain the FA Cup after beating Crystal Palace in last year's Wembley final to win the trophy for a joint-record 12th time. This season's defence of the silverware continued on Sunday with the club's second consecutive 4-0 home victory in the competition - this time against Warren Joyce's Wigan Athletic team, following the third-round triumph over Reading.

FULL FIFTH-ROUND DRAW

Burnley v Lincoln City
Fulham v Tottenham Hotspur
Blackburn Rovers v Manchester United
Sutton United v Arsenal
Middlesbrough v Oxford United
Wolverhampton Wanderers v Chelsea
Huddersfield Town v Manchester City
Millwall v Derby County or Leicester City

Schmeichel Impressed By Mourinho

Manchester United legend Peter Schmeichel has praised the improvement made by the side under Jose Mourinho.

United sit sixth in the Premier League, just four points off the Champions League places, and have not lost in the top-flight since Chelsea beat them 4-0 at Stamford Bridge in October.

Mourinho's side have also reached the final of the EFL Cup - where they will take on Southampton at Wembley on February 26 - while they have also progressed to the fifth round of the FA Cup after cruising past Wigan 4-0 on Sunday.

These achievements have impressed Schmeichel, who expected the progress made under Mourinho to take longer than it has done.

"I think it's been fantastic, I expected it to be another bumpy year. Jose has inherited a squad of players and he will have had to assess every one of them," he told Sky Sports News HQ.

"He is doing that quicker than I thought he would have done. Plus, the four additions in the summer [Eric Bailly, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Paul Pogba], they have all been really good.

"We are getting back to a Manchester United way of playing, which I didn't expect so quickly, so I am optimistic for the future."

Schmeichel, who played 402 times during his time at Old Trafford and won 10 major trophies with United, says Mourinho has attempted to adopt a more attacking style of play, one he feels is more in keeping with the club's footballing traditions.

"I think Jose has always tried to protect the lead but it is not in our DNA to [do so], it's to get number two, number three and number four," he added.

"[But] he has sent the players out to get two, three and four. It's great to watch and hopefully it's going to be evolved and developed.

"I would be very disappointed if we are not top four. There is a lot of progress, the team is shaping up and the club is getting back into its own rhythm, its own groove."

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Mourinho: It Will Be Difficult To Bring Glory Days Back To Man. United

Jose Mourinho admits he faces a "difficult job" to bring the glory days back to Manchester United.

Mourinho feels he took over a United team "in trouble" when he took over from Louis van Gaal at Old Trafford in the summer.

United last won the title in 2013 under Sir Alex Ferguson and have struggled to repeat their former glories since his departure.

Their highest finish since Ferguson's exit was fourth place, under Van Gaal in 2015, and the Dutchman also won the FA Cup shortly before he was sacked last May.

"There are no miracles in football," Mourinho said. "When a team is in trouble for two, three, four years, it's for some reason.

"When a team win titles, and in recent years (don't) win titles, it's for some reason."

United are 14 points behind leaders Chelsea this season and sit in sixth place with 16 games remaining on the Premier League fixture list.

Mourinho added: "Some people get more difficult jobs than others, I got the biggest job in the country, one of the biggest jobs in the world

"(It is) a job I can imagine everyone would like to have, but I got a difficult one."

Jose Mourinho, a Jaguar ambassador, was speaking in Manchester as he stars in a new film celebrating his partnership with the brand.

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Mourinho Q & A

Jose Mourinho's first six months at Manchester United have seen the club reach the FA Cup fifth round and go 17 games unbeaten.

The Portuguese coach has also taken United to the EFL Cup final and the knockout stages of the Europa League, where they will play St Etienne in the last 32 next month.

So how has Mourinho found life in Manchester? We sat down with the United boss to gauge his views on his new home, and a whole host of other subjects...

There's been a lot said about China in this transfer window. What do you make of players going from the Premier League?

"I am not a critic, and I am not supportive. Life belongs to yourself I am not a critic of anyone that decides to go to China and to change a real football career by an amazing, incredible economical situation. It's their choice and their life. I don't do like other people in the Premier League by judging other peoples' lives and choices, I don't do that.

"The only thing I can say is that in this moment of my career what I want is competition at the highest level. I still have a long way to go and improve and become better and better, so I want to be where real football is but I am not critical.

"I have to admit that probably will create some problems to the clubs that want to keep some of their players, but the players decide to go because it's understandable that some guys at 28, 29 years old, they look to players with less quality than them, they are in China getting five, 10 times more than what they get.

"I can not be a critic of someone that tries to chase the money in the last years of their careers, so especially for players I think it's understandable."

How are you enjoying life in the city since you joined Manchester United?

"I like it very much. My life in the city is my life in the football club because it is in the club that I spend most of my time. It's such a big club, so every minute I have is dedicated to my job. A part of that, people are really nice to me in the city and I feel very welcome and comfortable."

What is your favourite thing about Manchester away from the club?

"To be honest I haven't had the chance to know the city well or enjoy it in the proper way. The fact I am Manchester United manager doesn't help really because people are so nice and try to be so warm that is sometimes not so easy to have a social life.

"I keep the job and the nature of the job and what it needs from me and my relationship of Manchester United fans are a really important majority of people in the city and I like very much."

What is your proudest achievement in football?

"There are so many that it is difficult to say but let's go from my start. To win the Champions League with a Portuguese club (Porto) is history. To win the Premier League with Chelsea after 50 years is history.

"To win the treble with Inter Milan is history. To win with Real Madrid a title after so many years without titles is history. To be back to the Premier League and win again with Chelsea, is history. So my career is really rich, beautiful, but I have a big problem, I always want a next one."

Have you changed as a person or manager during your career?

"I think so, I hope so more than I think so.

"My first year as a manager was in 2000, many many years after, so many amazing experiences in football, in life, living in different countries, coaching in different countries, meet players from all four corners of the world, obviously I hope I had an evolution as a manager and as a person.

Jose Mourinho, a Jaguar ambassador, was speaking in Manchester as he stars in a new film celebrating his partnership with the brand.

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Pereira Delighted To Make United Debut

Goalkeeper Joel Pereira was thrilled to make his Manchester United debut as a second-half substitute in Sunday's Emirates FA Cup fourth-round win over Wigan Athletic.

The Portuguese stopper made his senior Reds bow when he replaced Sergio Romero in the 80th minute of the 4-0 triumph.

The 20-year-old, who spent the first half of the season on loan at Belenenses in his homeland, enjoyed his brief taste of senior action but hopes it's just the start for him at United.

"Me and my family are very happy," a delighted Pereira told MUTV. "They were watching at home on the TV. I have already spoken to them on the phone; they congratulated me and we are all very happy.

"I want to thank the manager for the opportunity to play here at Old Trafford; it is very important to me.

"This is only a little part of my career. I want to play many more games for this club. It’s just step by step and I will keep focusing and training and see where that takes me."

Jose Mourinho had confirmed on Friday that Pereira would be on the bench against the Latics, but it’s rare to see a goalkeeping substitution and the youngster therefore wasn’t expecting to come on.

"When we scored the third goal, Mourinho just said 'go and get warm'," Pereira revealed. "So I just went and got ready. When you’re on the bench you always hope that you can come on, so I was delighted to get the opportunity."

Entering the fray with the score at 3-0 and the game all but over, Pereira was a little disappointed not to have had more to do, making just one routine save.

"Yes, of course I wanted to impress a little more but just to come on at Old Trafford was amazing in itself so, I can’t be unhappy," he added.

Tuanzebe's Dream Comes True

Axel Tuanzebe has described making his Manchester United debut as a "dream come true", as the centre-back is now determined to keep his place in the first-team squad.

The young defender - who was recently called up by Jose Mourinho after impressive performances in the Reserves - made his first senior competitive appearance during Sunday's 4-0 victory over Wigan in the Emirates FA Cup, replacing Tim Fosu-Mensah with 23 minutes remaining at Old Trafford.

Speaking exclusively to MUTV after the game, Tuanzebe says that making his bow was an unforgettable experience, and made it clear he wants to grab his opportunity with both hands.

"It was crazy," he said. "I’ve been thinking about this since I was a little boy and now it’s come true, I can’t really believe it’s happened. Me and my family are very proud, but now it’s just about getting back to the training ground and going again. If I’m with the Under-23s, I’m with the Under-23s, but I’ll stay humble and keep working hard to get another opportunity to play again.

"You don’t look back. A coach of ours was saying that the hardest part is staying in [the squad], so I’ll have to get back to the training ground and keep grinding every day."

There was a touching moment on the sidelines as Tuanzebe hugged Mourinho and shook hands with Wigan boss Warren Joyce, the man who had mentored him in the Reserves, before taking to the pitch.

He added: “I was on the touchline and I could hear Zlatan [Ibrahimovic] saying ‘keep it simple, keep it simple’, so I wanted to follow his advice. I was just waiting for my moment and it finally came. It’s good to have Warren there too, you know. I grew up with him and for him to see me play is also an honour.

“After you start playing, you just concentrate on your own game. You get a feel for it, get a couple of touches of the ball. The older lads were constantly talking to me, Ander [Herrera] came on in midfield and was constantly talking to me and giving me advice. It’s good to have that support from experienced first-team players, it drives you on as a youngster and there’s no better feeling."

Fire Tackled At Manchester United's Old Trafford Stadium

Firefighters were called to Manchester United's Old Trafford stadium early on Monday morning to deal with a blaze.

Smoke was spotted coming from the south stand, also known as the Sir Bobby Charlton stand, and three fire engines were sent to the scene and put the fire out.

The club tweeted: "A small electrical fire was identified quickly in the Sir Bobby Charlton stand around 7am.

"The fire brigade attended and the isolated incident was dealt with quickly and effectively. There was minimal damage and there were no injuries."

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue confirmed they had been notified of a fire at the football ground at 6.58am.

They revealed three appliances attended and put out the fire in a lift motor room. Firefighters used two breathing apparatus and extinguished the blaze.

The fire happened 13 hours after United's 4-0 victory over Wigan to progress to the fifth round of the FA Cup.

Jose Mourinho's side host Hull on Wednesday evening in the Premier League before facing Leicester on Nissan Super Sunday.

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Mata: It's Been An Emotional Few Days

In his latest weekly blog entry, Juan Mata reveals his excitement at getting to Wembley again, reflects on Manchester United's two recent cup games and praises two Reds debutants...

Hi everyone,

The last few days have been very emotional. The week with both Cups is over and it’s been very positive for us. We started with a defeat that ended our streak of undefeated games, although we were able to eliminate Hull and make it to the EFL Cup final. The game was really tough. They played in front of their fans and showed their desire to be in the final, scoring first and putting a lot of pressure on us, but thanks to Paul’s goal we sealed the passport to Wembley’s final, and the team is very much looking forward to it.

It was odd, because it wasn’t a good game, yet we managed to succeed in our goal: we will go back to Wembley by the end of February. I’ve never been able to win this competition in my previous years in England, so I can’t be more motivated. I’ve been hoping to play this final for a very long time! It’s going to be against Southampton, a difficult rival where my good friend Oriol Romeu is playing (and really good, by the way). It’s just great having the chance to win the second title of the season. We won the first one last summer and now we are hoping to keep lifting trophies and dedicate them to our fans. It would be a big boost of confidence ahead of the last spell of the season, but as I said, if you look at Southampton’s performance against Liverpool in the semi-finals, you know it’s going to be tough.

This past Sunday we played against Wigan in the FA Cup, where we are the defending champions. The game was more complicated than the 4-0 might say. The score wasn’t too fair with them, because they made things very difficult for us in the first half, playing with a compact defence and showing good skills with the ball possession. However, in the second half we were more accurate and we could win the game in a competition that I do love, as you know. I’m sure this will be an unforgettable day for Joel ‘The Cat’ Pereira and for Axel. I hope it’s going to be the first of many special days for both of them in our club.

Hugs,
Juan

Juan's full blog is available to read on his official website, juanmata8.com.

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Mourinho Looking To Phase Rooney Out Of Old Trafford

Man Utd manager Jose Mourinho is trying to gradually ease striker Wayne Rooney out of Old Trafford, according to the Sunday Supplement panel.

Rooney recently broke Sir Bobby Charlton's goalscoring record with a late equaliser against Stoke City at the bet365 stadium, the player's 250th strike for the United.

However, despite still having a contract at Old Trafford that runs until June 30, 2019, Rooney is no longer Mourinho's first-choice frontman following the arrival at the club last summer of veteran forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

As a result, the England international - who joined United from Everton after Euro 2004 - has scored just twice in the Premier League this season, meaning Mourinho is now looking to move the 31-year-old on come the end of the campaign.

"Jose Mourinho has been looking for a way to gently phase Rooney out over this season, similarly to how he did with Frank Lampard and Ashley Cole on his return to Chelsea in 2013," said The Independent's Jack Pitt-Brooke.

"Equally, he doesn't want to do anything that can be seen as disrespectful to Rooney. He's played him a bit and allowed him to break the record, which is a fantastic achievement."

One possible destination mentioned for the England and United captain is the Chinese Super League, although Pitt-Brooke is not convinced that Rooney and his family will want to move to the Far East, with the MLS thought their more likely next port of call.

"Now that is done, I think they will find a way to shake hands and usher him out," he said. "The interesting thing will be how much Rooney, and his family, want to go to China, they've always been more interested in the MLS.

"It will probably be a lifestyle versus money trade-off when Rooney comes to decide."

Credit: Skysports.com

Did Martial Pass His Audition?

Jose Mourinho said Anthony Martial had to "play magnificent" against Wigan to win back his Premier League spot. We assess his performance in the 4-0 FA Cup victory...

Jose Mourinho threw down the gauntlet to Anthony Martial ahead of Manchester United's FA Cup fourth round tie with Wigan.

The Frenchman's absence from the past two matchday squads had raised questions over his immediate future, with reports suggesting a loan move to Sevilla could be a possibility.

Addressing the topic on Friday, Mourinho made clear what last season's top scorer would have to do to return to his plans for Wednesday's Premier League clash with Hull. "If Sunday he plays magnificent, he will play against Hull City in the next match," said the manager. "It's simple."

So, how did Martial do on his audition? Did he play well enough to earn a recall to United's Premier League line-up?

"Magnificent" may be too strong an adjective - but there were plenty of positives.

First there was the shaky start. Martial began the game as a central striker - and once again delivered a reminder that his strength does not lie in receiving the ball with his back to goal.

The 21-year-old gave up possession twice in quick succession in the opening minutes before majorly miscuing a cross and sending the ball flying high over the Wigan goal.

Another moment of poor control from a long ball led to Martial making a poor pass to Juan Mata, which, once again, allowed Wigan to retrieve possession.

But as the first half wore on, Martial drifted away from the constraints of his central role and began to demonstrate his qualities.

Driving into the left channel on 25 minutes, he won a corner for his side off right-back Callum Connolly. Picking the ball up five minutes later in his own half, he charged at the heart of the Wigan defence before teeing up Timothy Fosu-Mensah for a dangerous cross to Henrikh Mkhitaryan.

Yet Martial finished the half with the lowest passing accuracy on the team, with no shots to his name and more unsuccessful touches than any of his team-mates.

A half-time adjustment from Mourinho saw Martial moved out to the left flank. With room to run into and the chance to receive the ball facing the opposition, the young forward came to the fore.

Another driving run on the counter-attack drew a desperate foul from his marker, before Martial produced a moment of magic to set up Chris Smalling's headed goal on 57 minutes. Cutting back onto his right foot on the edge of the penalty area, he clipped an inch-perfect cross for his team-mate to nod home.

Martial's second assist came from the same left-hand channel on 74 minutes but on that occasion capped a superb high-speed break with Mkhitaryan. Racing through onto the Armenian's through ball, Martial left defenders in his wake before picking the perfect moment to roll the ball back into Mkhitaryan's path for a simple finish.

Martial could have had a hat-trick of assists had his header back across goal not been expertly volleyed over his own bar by Wigan centre-back Dan Burn and the French forward showed his frustration after his 86th minute volley was ruled out because of Bastian Schweinsteiger's high foot in the build-up.

Despite those near-misses, it was an eye-catching performance from Martial. But will it be enough to impress Mourinho?

The initial suggestion would be perhaps not.

Asked after the game whether players who hadn't been playing recently had given him food for thought, Mourinho said: "No. The performance of the team was good enough. The performance of the players individually were good enough, too, obviously some better than others. I'm happy with what they did."

Martial will have to wait until Wednesday to find out whether "good enough" puts him in contention for a Premier League return.

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Rashford Aims To Be A Game-changer

Marcus Rashford says he has been honing his ability to change a game from the bench and terrorise defenders with his electrifying pace.

The young striker has already illustrated the impact he can have as a substitute this season, with a late winner against Hull City in August before setting up Juan Mata to break the deadlock against West Ham earlier this month and upsetting the 10-man Hammers.

Former United frontman Ole Gunnar Solskjaer used to study how a game was developing by attempting to identify any weaknesses in the opposition and how he could exploit them. Rashford said he is similarly always thinking about what difference he can make when watching on from the sidelines.

“It’s important you do that,” he told United Review, Sunday’s official match programme, ahead of the Emirates FA Cup visit of Wigan Athletic.

“You don’t know where the manager is going to bring you on, so you have to do that for all the positions really. Just so you’re ready and mentally prepared for when you get on the pitch.

“So it is something you do when you’re on the bench but I think that’s only natural, for a player to be thinking about getting on the pitch, what you’re going to do when you’re out there and who you are going to come up against.”

Jose Mourinho has talked on numerous occasions this season about the capabilities Rashford possesses to take advantage of tiring defenders in the latter stages of matches – something the 19-year-old feels he will gradually get better at.

“It’s just about building on it and being able to repeat the same movements for the 90 minutes,” he admitted. “I think it will come in time but I have to take it step by step. Sometimes, an approach can take time to perfect but it’s going well.

“It’s about almost singling out each player and each opponent you come up against so you know you can get a one against one. That’s when you know it is a good asset for me to use.”

Rashford will be hoping to add to the two goals he scored in the previous round against Reading when the Reds welcome Warren Joyce’s side to Old Trafford.  

Young Could Leave Before End Of The Month

Ashley Young could be allowed to leave Manchester United before the end of the January transfer window.

Manager Jose Mourinho confirmed at his post-match press conference, following the 4-0 win over Wigan Athletic, that the 31-year-old is the only first-team player who could depart, even though he would certainly prefer to keep hold of the versatile winger.

However, as was the case with Morgan Schneiderlin and Memphis Depay, who joined Everton and Lyon respectively, the boss has always stressed he will not be unfair to players who are understandably keen for more regular football.

"The only player I'm aware of, who could possibly leave, I'm waiting just for 31 January to know really what is going on, but the only player I'm waiting for a decision on is Ashley Young," said Mourinho.

"I would love to keep him. I'm not happy if he leaves but he's the only player I was informed that there would be a possibility of him leaving. That's why I didn't play him and I gave chances to other people.

"I don't know if he's going to stay with us. If I could choose, definitely yes, he would stay with us."

Young was an unused substitute during the Old Trafford encounter against Warren Joyce's Latics on Sunday.

Boss Makes Pledge To Basti

Jose Mourinho has promised Bastian Schweinsteiger he can work his way into the Manchester United manager's Premier League plans.

The boss was interviewed by BBC Sport ahead of the Emirates FA Cup tie with Wigan Athletic and quizzed on the selection of Luke Shaw and German star Schweinsteiger in his line-up. 

"Luke is normal - he was injured and he's been training to be back in the team so it's a normal opportunity for him," said the boss.

"Basti may be a surprise for some as we made that decision not to have him in the squad for a couple of months. Since the moment he's been back with the team, he's fighting also for his chances with so many matches as we have now. We've the postponed match [at Manchester City] because of the EFL Cup final, the Europa League and the fact that Morgan Schneiderlin and Memphis Depay left the club. 

"The squad is shorter and we need him. Today is an opportunity for him to play and show that he is ready - even for the Premier League."

Schweinsteiger certainly impressed on Sunday, earning the Man of the Match award from the fans on Twitter, scoring and assisting the key opening goal by Marouane Fellaini. The German picked up 70 per cent of the vote to beat off competition from the other nominees Anthony Martial and Henrikh Mkhitaryan.

After the game, Mourinho confirmed in his press conference that the former Bayern Munich man would be drafted into his Europa League squad.

"He is staying and he is going on the Europa League list because we opened spaces with Depay and Schneiderlin leaving," the manager said. "We don’t have many players; in midfield we don’t have many options, so obviously he is an option. 

"Ninety minutes today was probably too hard for him but it was important for him to have an impact with his volley and now I think he’s happy. If he was a good professional when he was not playing, now he’s having some minutes and opportunities he’s going to be the same good professional. With so many matches and competitions, he’s going to be an option."

Man. United Await FA Cup 5th Round Draw

The draw for the Emirates FA Cup fifth round will take place on Monday evening around 19:20 GMT, with Manchester United among the teams involved following Sunday's 4-0 victory over Wigan Athletic. 

The Reds are attempting to retain the trophy for the first time in the club’s illustrious history, having lifted the famous cup on 12 previous occasions and, most recently, in May 2016 following a dramatic 2-1 extra-time success over Crystal Palace at Wembley.

The draw for the fifth round will be made live on BBC1 and there will be 16 balls in the pot, with Jose Mourinho's United attached to no.9.

Of course, Sutton United and Lincoln City are the two non-league teams in the draw, while there are seven other Premier League teams remaining in this year's competition. The ties will be played during and around the weekend of 18 and 19 February.

This is the full list of numbers ahead of the FA Cup fifth-round draw:
1. Tottenham Hotspur, 2. Derby County or Leicester City, 3. Oxford United, 4. Sutton United, 5. Wolverhampton Wanderers, 6. Arsenal, 7. Lincoln City, 8. Chelsea, 9. Manchester United, 10. Millwall, 11. Huddersfield Town, 12. Burnley, 13. Blackburn Rovers, 14. Fulham, 15. Middlesbrough, 16. Manchester City.

Jose's Verdict On Win Over Wigan

Jose Mourinho admitted Manchester United were below par in the first half of Sunday's Emirates FA Cup fourth-round tie against Wigan Athletic, but felt his side deserved to win after a much-improved display in the second period. Here's what the boss said in his post-match press conference and interview with BBC...

On the match
"We deserved to win. The first half was not very good but we managed to be 1-0 in front. The goal gave us a different second half, it gave us a chance at half-time to speak with the players and make them feel the first half was not good enough. We spoke about changing a few things in the dynamic of the team. The guys obviously accepted it well because the second half was much better."

On Wigan's challenge
"We knew Warren [Joyce] would organise the team very well defensively, with aggression, but we knew that to break that wall we needed to played better than we did in the first half. We were quite lucky to be 1-0 up and then in the second half, with more space, we killed the game. We put a different pace into the game, there was much more intense defending, passing and movement. We deserved to win, the job was done and we are in the last 16."

On Bastian Schweinsteiger
"He is staying and he is going on the Europa League list because we opened spaces with [Memphis] Depay and [Morgan] Schneiderlin leaving. We don’t have many players; in midfield we don’t have many options, so obviously he is an option. Ninety minutes today was probably too hard for him but it was important for him to have an impact with his volley and now I think he’s happy. If he was a good professional when he was not playing, now he’s having some minutes and opportunities he’s going to be the same good professional. With so many matches and competitions, he’s going to be an option."

On two debutants
"For [Axel] Tuanzebe and Joel [Pereira], it was their first match and it’s always a nice moment for every a player, a moment that stays in their career. So it was nice for me to give them the opportunity it’s not my work. The work was made in the Academy, where the players have been since they were young kids; in Joel the work was also done in Portugal, where he played for six months with Belenenses. So it’s not my work at all – I’m just the guy that have them the opportunity."

On competing for four trophies
"In a realistic way, I think the Premier League is almost an impossible mission but I don’t think about it – I just think of winning the next match and that is not an impossible mission; it’s just a difficult match we can win. That’s how we think in the Premier League. In the League Cup we have 50 per cent chance of winning, in the FA Cup we’re in the last 16 and in the Europa League we’re in the last 32, so there are lots of matches to play."

On the fixture schedule
"We are going to have a very difficult season compared with other clubs. Liverpool are going to play 16 matches until the end of the season, Chelsea will play 16 matches plus some in the FA Cup, and we are in this crazy situation. I think Southampton will have 15 days without football before the [EFL Cup] final; in those 15 days we play two matches against Saint-Etienne and the next round of the FA Cup."

On Henrikh Mkhitaryan
"Since he came into the team, we and Micki himself thought he was ready. He had a good impact immediately, then he had a break with the injury against Tottenham, and then he came back and played quite well, so we are happy with him."

On other individual displays
"I think the performance of the team was good enough. The performance of the players individually was good enough too – obviously, some were better than others, but that’s football. Overall, I’m happy with what they did."

FA Cup 4th Round: Mna. United 4 Wigan Athletic 0

A much-changed Manchester United progressed to the fifth round of the Emirates FA Cup with a comfortable 4-0 victory over Wigan Athletic on Sunday afternoon.

The result ensured it would be an unhappy return to Old Trafford for former Reserves coach Warren Joyce, as Marouane Fellaini headed United in front, before second-half goals from Chris Smalling, Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Bastian Schweinsteiger put the Latics to the sword, and the Reds into the hat for Monday’s draw.

Ahead of the match, Jose Mourinho made nine changes from the side that faced Hull in Thursday evening’s EFL Cup semi-final second leg, with attacking quartet Mkhitaryan, Juan Mata, Anthony Martial, and Wayne Rooney among those returning to the starting line-up.

Backed by a vocal travelling support, Wigan started the game brightly and registered the game’s first attempt on goal through Callum Connolly, whose powerful drive was punched away well by Sergio Romero.
 
By contrast, United were struggling to get into any kind of rhythm during a difficult opening 20 minutes, though the returning Luke Shaw showed a glimpse of his ability with a positive run down the left.
In a half of few goalscoring chances, the Reds’ first opportunity came on 24 minutes, as Shaw’s chipped pass was headed out as far as Mata, whose effort sailed comfortably over the crossbar.

Mourinho’s men then had an excellent chance to break the deadlock on the half-hour mark, as Martial sprinted forward and found the overlapping Tim Fosu-Mensah, but Mkhitaryan could only divert the defender’s cross wide at the far post.

The next opportunity, however, did produce a goal. With seconds remaining in the first half, patient build-up play involving Rooney and Mkhitaryan eventually saw Schweinsteiger pick up possession on the right-hand side. The midfielder whipped in an inviting delivery and there was no doubt about the outcome, as Fellaini headed home to give United a timely lead.

HALF-TIME STATS
Possession: United 71% Wigan 29%
Shots: United 3 Wigan 3
Shots on target: United 1 Wigan 2
Corners: United 2 Wigan 0

Buoyed by the Belgian’s opener, the Reds picked up where they had left off – on the front foot. Four minutes into the second half, Rooney set Fosu-Mensah through on goal, but the youngster dragged his effort wide of the post after driving into the area. At the other end, the visitors could and perhaps should have levelled through midfielder David Perkins after Romero had parried a cross to the edge of the box, but the United keeper recovered to save with his legs. 

It was a missed chance that the Championship side would come to regret as, just minutes later, United added a second through Smalling. This time, Martial carved out half a yard of space on the left, and delivered a well-flighted ball to the far post, which the defender met well to head home. 

Then followed a special moment for Axel Tuanzebe with 23 minutes remaining. Recently called up to the first-team squad after impressive performances for the Reserves, the young centre-back hugged Mourinho on the touchline, shook hands with Joyce and replaced Fosu-Mensah to make his first senior appearance for the club. 

Wigan were determined to remind United of their attacking intent, as Connolly forced Romero into another save, but again the Reds broke away to make the Latics pay. A swift move saw Martial race into the box, and the Frenchman crossed for Mkhitaryan to tap in a third and put the result beyond any doubt.

Schweinsteiger’s goal nine minutes from time was the icing on the cake, as the German – making his first start in over a year - acrobatically converted subsititute Ander Herrera’s knock-down from a corner. Chants of “Wembley” followed, as United’s FA Cup defence continued with a convincing win.

FULL-TIME STATS
Possession: United 71% Wigan 29%
Shots: United 11 Wigan 7
Shots on target: United 4 Wigan 5
Corners: United 5 Wigan 2

THE TEAMS
United: Romero (J Pereira 80), Fosu-Mensah (Tuanzebe 67), Smalling, Rojo, Shaw, Fellaini (Herrera 70), Schweinsteiger, Mkhitaryan, Mata, Martial, Rooney.
Subs not used: Blind, Young, Ibrahimovic, Rashford.

Booked: None

Wigan: Haugaard, Connolly, Buxton, Burn, Warnock, MacDonald (Browne 76), Power, Morsy, Perkins (Wildschut 59), Jacobs, Grigg (Tunnicliffe 70).
Subs not used: Jaaskelainen, James, Kellett, Morgan.

Booked: Burn

Charlton Hands Rooney Trophy

Wayne Rooney was presented with a trophy by Sir Bobby Charlton ahead of Manchester United’s FA Cup fourth round tie with Wigan after becoming the club’s all-time record goalscorer last weekend.

Rooney's added-time free kick at Stoke took the 31-year-old's tally of United goals to 250, breaking the record he previously shared with Charlton.

Rooney captained United for Sunday's visit of Wigan and was applauded by team-mates and supporters during a special presentation moments before the game kicked off.

Charlton, whose previous mark of 249 goals had stood since 1973, handed the England captain a gold trophy in honour of his achievement.

Rooney had drawn level with Charlton on 249 when he scored in United's 4-0 FA Cup third round win over Reading earlier this month.

His record-breaking strike came in the fourth-minute of added time at the bet365 Stadium clinching a 1-1 draw against Stoke and a hard-fought point for United.

Credit: Skysports.com

Beckham Admits He Made Mistakes In Relationship With Sir Alex Ferguson

David Beckham has admitted he made mistakes with his relationship with Sir Alex Ferguson when they were at Manchester United.

Beckham came through the ranks at United under Ferguson and went on to become a global superstar.

But they had a number of well-documented stormy moments - and Beckham was eventually sold to Real Madrid.

"You make decisions at 21 I hope I would not make when you are 41," Beckham told BBC Radio's Desert Island Discs.

Ferguson infamously kicked a boot into Beckham's face during one row. Beckham said it was a "freak accident" and joked: "He could never do it again - because I have seen him in training.

"We had lost to Arsenal and he thought that one or two of the goals were my fault. I just kept saying it was not my fault."

Beckham said he was "shocked and devastated" when Ferguson sold him to Spanish giants Real in 2003. "I didn't watch Manchester United for three years," he said. "I would never have left."

Sky Ambassador Beckham also discussed recent allegations of child abuse of young players by coaches and scouts at a number of football clubs which have shocked the sport.

"It's disgraceful what's gone on and there has to be something done about it...but there was never anything at Manchester United," Beckham said.

"The closest [thing to abuse] would've been certain professionals...if we'd gone out of line they'd make us do a funny dance in the middle of the changing room in front of our heroes at the time.

"[It was] humiliation, and that was all it was - but that was just to teach us a lesson, there was never any wrongdoing."

Credit: Skysports.com

Rooney: Jose Right One For United

Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney believes the club have finally found the right manager in Jose Mourinho since the departure of Sir Alex Ferguson, and says success will come at Old Trafford.

Since Ferguson retired in 2013, United have overseen the appointments and subsequent sackings of David Moyes and Louis van Gaal, as well as the hiring of incumbent boss Mourinho all in the space of four seasons.

For Rooney though, such managerial changes are just part and parcel of the modern game, but feels the club have at last hired the right manager to follow in Ferguson's footsteps.

"I think that's part of football," said Rooney.

"Obviously Manchester United have had the stability of Sir Alex over the 26 years before, and I think over the last three or four years what they've been doing is trying to find the right one. And I believe they've found him [in Mourinho].

"Just working every day and seeing how he [Mourinho] wants to work, how he is setting the team up. There's successes around the corner."

Rooney came off the bench in United's EFL Cup semi-final second leg 2-1 loss at Hull on Thursday, a defeat which brought an end to the club's 17-match unbeaten run.

The England captain is in line to start Sunday's FA Cup fourth round tie with Wigan at Old Trafford and became United's all-time top scorer last week with a free-kick at Stoke.

Having joined United for £30m from Everton in 2004, Rooney has gone on to win five Premier League titles, two League Cups, one FA Cup and one Champions League, and has revealed he is aiming for more under Mourinho.

"I joined this club, I said at the time, to play Champions League football and obviously Sir Alex was the reason I joined the club," Rooney added.

"I wanted to obviously win trophies and I've done that since I've been here.

"When I first joined the club, I think Gary Neville and Scholesy [Paul Scholes] were on like four Premier League titles and I remember sitting there thinking 'they've won four Premier Leagues, that's crazy'.

"Then, obviously, now I've won five. I'm sure the likes of Rashford coming into the dressing room, they're probably looking at the likes of me and Michael Carrick thinking 'they've won five Premier League titles'. That's the aim, that's what you want to get to.

"He'll have his time and I'm sure if he keeps doing the right things, going the way he is, then he'll be a great player for this club and hopefully in 10 or whatever years more time he'll be close to the record."

Credit: Skysports.com

Tuanzebe Pushing For Competitive Debut

Axel Tuanzebe is determined to keep pushing for his competitive debut for Manchester United by impressing Jose Mourinho even further.

The Reserves captain was in the travelling squad for the EFL Cup semi-final second leg at Hull City and has been training with the first-team players. When Mourinho praised the 19-year-old on MUTV this week and explained why he is integrating him into the senior group, it naturally pleased the young centre-back. 

"There's no better feeling," Tuanzebe told MUTV, "but I can't let it go to my head and relax now. I've got to keep my head down and keep proving to him why he should have faith in me. I've got to keep pushing every day and showing why I should be in the team and why I'm here at the club.

"It's definitely been good training with superstars and I can learn a lot from these players every day. I'm always willing to learn and try my best. It doesn't depend on the level, I could be with the Under-23s or the first team, I always try my best to improve as a player." 

Tuanzebe definitely believes he is at the right club in terms of being able to envisage a pathway into senior football and only needs to look at the success of Jesse Lingard and Marcus Rashford for role models.

"It's a massive booster to see the likes of Marcus and Jesse coming right from the bottom and working all the way up through the system," he added. "It's always a great thing to see. It gives everyone a boost - if they can do it, why can't I? 

"Massive credit to the club for actually having the belief the youngsters can play for the first team. I don't think that happens at every other club and it's a real positive for all the players working here."

Tuanzebe's former Reserves coach Warren Joyce returns to Old Trafford with Wigan Athletic for the Emirates FA Cup fourth-round tie on Sunday, having had a huge input into the defender's progress.

"He was a massive influence personally," said Axel. "Every day was flat out. There were no rest days, even when the first team were off, we were in doing extra work. During international breaks, we were doing extra. He has been a massive influence and it'll be good to see him on Sunday. There's a bit of competition and we'll see how it goes!" 

And, as he gets close to making his breakthrough, can we expect to see Axel involved this weekend, against the side he featured against in a first-team friendly in pre-season?

"It's down to the manager," he replies. "All I can do is try my best in training every day and show why I can be a first-team player."

Gary Neville Offers Anthony Martial Advice To Revive Man. United Career

Gary Neville has advised Anthony Martial to "show his love for the game" in order to revive his Manchester United career.

Martial was omitted from the United squad which drew 1-1 at Stoke on Saturday, with manager Jose Mourinho confirming the forward had been given permission to take a break.

The omission was the latest setback in a testing season for the France international, who has struggled to replicate the goalscoring exploits of his debut season at Old Trafford.

Martial has scored just six goals in 21 appearances this term, and United legend Neville believes the 21-year-old is yet to reach his full potential, although he hopes Mourinho's actions will act as a wake-up call.

"He's only achieving a very small part of his potential," Neville said on Twitter. "He ranges from sensational to disinterested. Let's hope he gets going now.

"He has the talent to become a very special player. He needs to show his love for the game and display that in his performances.

"I like him but, like others, I want to see him realise his potential."

Mourinho publicly accused Martial of failing to grasp several opportunities to produce in Manchester United's first team when called upon.

The former Chelsea boss stopped short of claiming Martial had lost focus, but explained the competition for places at Old Trafford was so intense that he had pursue other options.

"I don't think he lost his focus," Mourinho said in his pre-match press conference. "He just didn't catch with both hands a big opportunity he had.

"We have still five players for these positions. I cannot give to one player chances to play and kill the others.

"I cannot give to the same player chance after chance after chance and not consider the effort of the others. I have to take people out of the team. That's simple."

Credit: Skysports.com

Could The EFL Cup Be A Catalyst For Mourinho At Man. United?

Manchester United's first season under Jose Mourinho has not been straight forward and they were well below their best against Hull on Thursday night, but could EFL Cup glory provide a platform to build on?

Jose Mourinho has never been one to take the League Cup lightly. He won the competition three times during his two spells in charge of Chelsea, and he now has a shot at number four after Manchester United booked their place in the final with a 3-2 aggregate win over Hull.

Progress was not as simple as it might have been, with goals from Tom Huddlestone and Oumar Niasse pushing United all the way at the KCOM Stadium. But Mourinho had named something close to his strongest line-up despite the first-leg advantage, and it was fitting that record signing Paul Pogba was the scorer of the goal that sent them through.

"I have a special feeling for every competition," Mourinho said before the game. "Every club should enjoy being in big matches, in finals. It doesn't matter how many title the club has won before. It's Wembley, it's a title, it's an occasion for a demonstration of love for the club with 30 or 40 thousand fans travelling to London."

United's EFL Cup campaign has been a welcome distraction from their stuttering Premier League form. Mourinho's side face a fight to finish in the top four having fallen out of contention for the title, but beat Southampton at Wembley and they will head into the decisive months of the season with silverware already behind them.

The League Cup may not carry the same prestige as other competitions, but history shows why Mourinho values it so highly. In 2005, during his first season at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea went into the League Cup final against Liverpool having only won one of their previous four games, but with their 3-2 extra-time victory they secured Mourinho's first trophy in English football.

It galvanized the squad. For many players it was their first taste of silverware at Chelsea, and they duly embarked on a six-game winning streak which all but guaranteed the club's first league title in half a century. In the long-term, it set the tone for an unprecedented era of success for the club.

Ten years later, the League Cup became the first piece of silverware of Mourinho's second spell at Chelsea. A run of just three wins from their previous eight games did not bode particularly well before the final that year, but after a 2-0 win over Tottenham at Wembley, they surged to another Premier League title.

This year, Mourinho knows finishing the campaign with the Premier League title is all but out of reach regardless of what happens at Wembley, but his previous successes show victory over Cluade Puel's side could still provide a catalyst to finish the season strongly - and even lay the groundwork for future success.

United slipped 14 points off the summit with their draws against Liverpool and Stoke, but they are still only four points off the Champions League places. Cup glory and a top-four finish would represent a successful first season at Old Trafford for Mourinho, and Phil Neville, who won 10 major trophies as a player at United, thinks the first trophy is one of the most important.

"People try to play down this competition, but it should be their number one priority," he said on Sky Sports on Thursday night. "To actually win a trophy as a Manchester United manager or a Manchester United player when you have never experienced it, I don't think it should be underestimated."

United have bigger targets than the EFL Cup, but if Mourinho is to put his stamp on the club, he needs silverware sooner rather than later. A fourth League Cup win would be a big step in the right direction. History suggests it could take them on to bigger things.

Credit: Skysports.com

Martial's United Future In Doubt

Jose Mourinho is unhappy with Anthony Martial and the forward's future at Manchester United beyond the summer is uncertain, Sky sources understand.

Mourinho has made it clear he has plenty of options in wider positions with Marcus Rashford, Jesse Lingaard, Henrikh Mkitaryan, Ashley Young having all been utilised in those areas this season.

United are also expected to bolster their attacking options in the summer, which would raise serious questions about the future of a player who has scored just two Premier League goals in the current campaign.

Martial, meanwhile, is understood to be happy at Old Trafford and does not want to leave the club.]

Reports had suggested the French star is unhappy at recent criticism from Mourinho, who was disappointed with the 21-year-old's performance against Liverpool and left him out of the matchday squad for Wednesday's EFL Cup semi-final defeat to Hull.

While Martial will remain at United this month, his future in the next transfer window is far less certain unless he starts to deliver what his manager is asking for.

Earlier this month, it was claimed by Martial's agent that Sevilla were interested in taking the player on loan but the move did not materialise.

Martial became the most expensive teenager in football history when he joined United from Monaco for an initial £36m in September 2015.

He made an instant impact for United, scoring a superb solo goal on his debut in a 3-1 victory over rivals Liverpool at Old Trafford.

Martial continued to impress during his debut season in England and helped United win the FA Cup in May - their first major trophy in three years - with a 2-1 victory over Crystal Palace at Wembley.

Credit: Skysports.com

Chant For Mourinho

"I don't know if it was passion or the cold, or both, but they were absolutely magnificent."

That’s how Jose Mourinho perfectly described the Manchester United fans in attendance at the KCOM Stadium on Thursday and the boss was correct to reference the inclement weather, because it was a painfully harsh evening when even the toughest, hardest Yorkshiremen wore long-johns and thermals.

Indeed, it was a barren night when supporters railed against the power of winter in the North East, when the spillage of hot tea onto the skin was a blessing rather than medical emergency, and when this writer stuck two fingers to fashion by wearing five layers, two scarves and a questionable hat in a press box that was unfortunately located in an otherwise empty top tier.

So punishing was the weather, it jogged memories of a European journalist who once took his place in the Old Trafford press box for a Champions League fixture and raised eyebrows by plugging in a pair of heated trousers. He was openly mocked back then, of course, yet in Hull he suddenly appeared shrewd.

As Jose observed in his post-match interview with MUTV, such bracing conditions only contributed to the communal feel that underpins the away-end experience with United. Our lads were all in it together and they were audible from start to finish in this EFL Cup semi-final second leg.

Exactly 4,179 Reds made the journey to Humberside and it’s not unfair to say it isn’t the easiest or most picturesque route on offer this season. In this instance, on a bleak January night, the 103-mile trip from Manchester was an unpleasant cocktail of heavy traffic, dense fog and emerging black ice.

Just as radio signals crackled in and out of frequency on the M62 - which a road sign reliably informed me to be the highest stretch of motorway in the UK - an unfortunate car accident on the A63 then provided another hurdle to jump, forcing a small section of fans to arrive late to the game.

Not that it made a difference to morale. The United fans were housed in the north-east corner of the stadium, which brought back happy memories of Marcus Rashford scoring and celebrating his late winner in this season’s Premier League game back in August. The Academy graduate was duly applauded early on, before Zlatan Ibrahimovic heard his familiar song boom out, yet the players did not dominate the agenda on this occasion: it was Mourinho, on the evening of his 54th birthday, who was serenaded in song. 

The manager is the subject of a new chant which goes to the tune of Something Good by Herman’s Hermits and has rapidly become a viral hit among supporters. Its popularity is increasing from game to game, and you can expect to hear it at Old Trafford during Sunday’s FA Cup fourth-round tie against Warren Joyce’s Wigan Athletic. Fan footage will no doubt have already appeared in your social media timelines by then, and it is definitely only like a matter of time before rival fans adapt it to suit their own clubs.

In case you aren’t up to speed, and feel free to sing these out loud wherever you are, the lyrics to the Mourinho chant are as follows: "Woke up this morning feeling fine, got Man United on my mind, Jose's got us playing the way United should, oh yeah. Something tells me I'm into something good!"

The irony is that many of those fans in the away end will not have woken up "feeling fine" on Friday morning. They probably had heavy colds and several fingers or toes only just returning to natural colours. 

They will also admit the action on the pitch was not the best we’ve seen this season, with United suffering a disappointing 2-1 second-leg defeat, but everyone in attendance will no doubt feel a sense of satisfaction and relief from watching the Reds progress to a first League Cup final since 2010. Reaching Wembley is not easy, of course, which Liverpool found out during their own last-four defeat to Southampton. 

As for Mourinho, the subject of our new terrace anthem, he was simply grateful to work for such dedicated fans. "They were the best," he said. "I have no words for that incredible support."

The views expressed in this article are personal to the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Manchester United FC.

Credit: Manutd.com

Valencia's Fond Wigan Memories

It’s over a decade since Antonio Valencia first arrived in English football and the in-form Manchester United man will always look back with fondness on that time with Wigan Athletic.

Valencia was signed on an initial one-year loan deal by the Latics’ then-manager Paul Jewell from Villarreal in August 2006, having impressed for Ecuador in that summer’s World Cup in Germany.

Ahead of the Championship side’s visit to Old Trafford in the FA Cup on Sunday, Valencia reflected on his three-year spell at the DW Stadium, where he established himself as a powerhouse winger. And he has nothing but praise for a club who helped him adapt to an unfamiliar country and gave him such a solid grounding in the Premier League.

Recalling his early days in England, the 31-year-old told ManUtd.com: "When I arrived and took part in my first training sessions, I remember how cold it was and also how tough the sessions were. 

"I found them hard because I wasn’t yet fully at my best fitness-wise. But I said to myself that if I want to stay and do well here, I need to get my fitness up to my team-mates' levels. And that’s what happened. 

"I started to work hard and I would be first to arrive at training and then last to leave. There were times when I got a bit down and wondered to myself 'what am I doing here?', and I just wanted to go back home. But that’s when you discover that inner strength, when you are determined to realise your dream. 

"I had to work really hard and, thanks to God, I had such great team-mates alongside me on that journey, guys like [Emile] Heskey and Boycey [Emmerson Boyce]. Everyone in the dressing room helped me tremendously as I managed to settle in well and become part of the team."

Wigan were beginning their second season in the top flight when Valencia arrived and he helped them escape relegation on goal difference, before signing a permanent deal the following campaign as the Latics, with ex-Red Steve Bruce now at the helm, finished 14th.

But he admits his third and final term there, 2008/09, was the one he enjoyed most, with Bruce guiding the team to 11th in the final Premier League standings.

"We played so well during that campaign and we were safe with something like two months to go before the end of the season," the right-back said.

"So it was nice to play some entertaining football during those last couple of months as we were calm, knowing that we were staying up. We had a great squad of players at the time and I will always fondly remember that period. 

"Also the supporters were great, the stadium was always full with our fans getting behind us and driving us on. It was a small town with a massively big heart."

By then, Valencia had become an integral part of the Wigan team, having racked up nearly 100 appearances, and his form attracted the attention of several bigger clubs. But it was Sir Alex Ferguson who swooped to bring him to Old Trafford in June 2009.

Valencia said: "I remember Steve Bruce told me that United were interested in me but I really didn’t believe him as he was always having a laugh and a joke with me. 'No, seriously, they are very interested in you,' he insisted. 

"A couple of days before the deal was officially announced, I met with Sir Alex and, when I looked into the eyes of the manager right in front of me, I could tell that he was serious about signing me, and he gave me his word and told me everything would be sorted out. 

"That was an incredible moment and that evening I didn’t know whether to cry or shout or what to do. I rang my family in Ecuador and we chatted and they didn’t believe me either! But thankfully it all went ahead and I joined United."

Early Team News For Wigan Tie

Sergio Romero and Anthony Martial will start for Manchester United in Sunday’s FA Cup fourth-round tie at home to Wigan Athletic, manager Jose Mourinho has revealed.

The boss has confirmed he will rest no.1 David De Gea for the Old Trafford clash against Warren Joyce’s Latics, providing Argentina international Romero the chance to make his sixth appearance of the season, with recent loan returnee Joel Pereira set to be named on the bench. 

Martial, meanwhile, will come back into the side after missing the last two games and Mourinho has challenged him to keep his place for next Wednesday's Premier League encounter against Hull City.

Speaking after Thursday’s EFL Cup semi-final aggregate victory over the Tigers, Mourinho said: "This is the second match for us in the FA Cup and I want to do it in a serious way. We have to play with a very good team; the only player that is out is De Gea – I’ll give him a few days off. 

"I will play Romero, I will put Joel on the bench and apart from that I go with a good team because we want to try to beat them. Anthony will play on Sunday and if he plays magnificently, he will play against Hull in the next match – it’s simple."

Continuing on the theme of team news, Mourinho stated: "I will make some changes – that’s obvious. We play Hull again three days after Wigan but I’m going to play a good team with the responsibility to give fans a good performance at home and with the responsibility to try to win against Wigan."

Former Reserves coach Joyce makes a quick return to Old Trafford, having ended his eight-year spell with the Reds to take the reins at Wigan in November.

"We know the difficulty to play against Championship teams," Mourinho told reporters. "We played Wigan already in pre-season and now they are with Warren, who knows us well and will come with special motivation to play against his old club. 

"I worked at the club with him for a few months but it was enough to know he’s a very nice man, a very passionate football man. He took the risk, accepted the challenge and left a good situation at this club. 

"His team will be very aggressive, very well organised defensively and also emotional, like the manager is emotional, so it will be a difficult match."

Neville: Pogba Very Average Against Hull

Paul Pogba scored the goal which secured Manchester United's passage to the EFL Cup final - but Phil Neville said his overall performance against Hull was "average".

Jose Mourinho's side lost 2-1 at the KCOM Stadium in Thursday night's semi-final second leg, but will face Southampton at Wembley on February 26 - live on Sky Sports - after clinging on for a 3-2 aggregate win.

World-record signing Pogba poked home a crucial away goal in the 66th-minute, his seventh of the season, but Neville was not impressed with his overall performance.

The former Manchester United defender told Sky Sports: "I thought he was like the rest of the Man United players, I thought he was very average.

"I thought it was a real poor performance from all of the United team. There wasn't really a stand-out player in the United XI today and Pogba was part of that.

"He is going in the right direction. Seven goals from a midfield player and with lots of competitions he could finish the season with 12 or 13 goals.

"That is not a bad return in your first season."

Manchester United could now face eight matches in the Premier League, FA Cup and Europa League before they play in the EFL Cup final on February 26.

Neville believes his former club won't win the Premier League title, but says Champions League qualification is a minimum requirement for the club and that Wembley glory would be a boost for the rest of their season.

"If you win a trophy it's a successful season," he added. "They've got an unbelievable fixture list coming up, playing every two or three days, so how they handle that will determine whether they finish the season really strongly.

"I think the league is a little bit too much, so you look at getting in the Champions League through either finishing in the top four or winning the Europa League. United can more than do that.

"They've got to start by winning the first major trophy in February against Southampton.

"When you watch United now they are 100 per cent going in the right direction. They are playing with a better style, they are playing with more confidence and they've got determination about them.

"They've lost tonight, but qualified for a major final and those players didn't really celebrate at the end of the game.

"That shows how far they've come. The standard has been risen at that football club back to where it should be."

Credit: Skysports.com

Reds Are Heading To Wembley

Manchester United are going back to Wembley!

The Reds booked a place in the EFL Cup final, where Southampton will be our opponents, following a 3-2 aggregate win over Hull City.

Jose Mourinho's men already held a 2-0 advantage over the Tigers going in to Thursday's semi-final second leg at the KCOM Stadium. And though the hosts won on the night through Tom Huddlestone's penalty and Oumar Niasse's late goal, Paul Pogba's strike in between ensured our progress.

United will now face Saints in the showpiece match at Wembley Stadium on Sunday 26 February and we can confirm we will wear our home kit in the final. Please note the kick-off time for the game is still to be confirmed.

The Reds' participation in the final means the Manchester derby at the Etihad Stadium, scheduled for the same day, will now be postponed. We'll bring you news of a new date for the Premier League encounter against the Blues when it's been rearranged.

Credit: Manutd.com

Mourinho On Reaching EFL Cup Final

Jose Mourinho told MUTV he is pleased to be going back to Wembley for the EFL Cup final against Southampton next month but was clearly disappointed with Manchester United's 2-1 second-leg defeat to Hull City.

The Reds progressed to the final 3-2 on aggregate with Paul Pogba's second-half goal at the KCOM Stadium proving vital, even though Oumar Niasse added to Tom Huddlestone's opener from the penalty spot.

Although a 17-game unbeaten run came to an end against the Tigers, the result proved enough to set up the 26 February date with the Saints, conquerors of Liverpool in the last four, in a repeat of the 1976 FA Cup final. Here's what the boss told MUTV...

Initial emotions
"I feel happy. We got to Wembley. We had a difficult draw, difficult opponents, difficult matches but we did it. We are there. We beat three Premier League teams, which is not an easy run to be in the final. We started the game and the game was in the pocket, we were completely in control and then something happened to open the game and we then had to cope with the game being open. We did that well."

Importance of the EFL Cup
"Every competition is important for me. Every match is important for me. It doesn't really matter which competition it is but Wembley is Wembley. Wembley has, for professionals with passion for football, a special meaning and a special feeling. Of course, I'm happy to be there and happy to bring many thousands of our fans. I think also, for them, this is something that they always remember - going to Wembley."

Deserved victors
"They [Hull] were a very good team in both matches but we have more power. We were the best team. We could have scored lots of goals in the first match and, today, as I was saying, the game was under control so we deserve to be in the final. I congratulate my players but I don’t want to analyse the performance too much."

The finest travelling support
"They were the best. Unbelievable! I don't know if it was passion or the cold, or both together, but they were absolutely magnificent. I have no words for that incredible support."

Another Cup tie on Sunday
"It's another difficult game against Wigan. They didn't play, they are fresh, preparing and will be ready with special motivation for Warren [Joyce] and his players. Now we go home, it'll take three hours to arrive, and have to prepare again. We will change some players and give some opportunities, some fresh legs to the team and, hopefully, we can do it."

Carrick: It's A Strange Feeling

Michael Carrick admitted it was something of a "strange night" as Manchester United lost 2-1 at Hull City but secured passage to the EFL Cup final with a 3-2 aggregate win.

The Reds booked a date with Southampton at Wembley on 26 February despite seeing the 17-game unbeaten run come to an end at the KCOM Stadium.

"It’s a bit of a strange feeling, if I’m honest," Carrick conceded to MUTV, after Oumar Niasse's late goal gave the Tigers victory on the night.

"As a one-off game we’re very disappointed with losing but the bigger picture is we’re going to the cup final and we can take plenty of delight from that. So it’s a bit of a strange night."

Paul Pogba’s second-half equaliser, after Tom Huddlestone had put the hosts ahead from the penalty spot, proved crucial for the Reds and Carrick praised his team-mate for finding the back of the net.

"I’m pleased for Paul to score," the midfielder said. "It was important we did score tonight, especially the way the game was going. It was a good finish from Paul, some good work down the left [from Marcus Rashford] and a good finish that put us in a good position."

United conceded a contentious penalty in the first half that Huddlestone converted but Carrick was pleased with the way his side put the setback behind them.

"Things like that can change the course of games; luckily it didn’t affect us and we’ve gone through," the 35-year-old said.

"The close calls aren’t going our way at the moment. We haven’t had a penalty since Fenerbahce [on 20 October] and we’ve only had three all season, I believe, but at some point our luck’s got to turn.

"We’re getting in good positions often enough and we just want reward for that, but we’re through and we’ll take that."

United are through to another appearance at Wembley and Carrick was happy to be returning to the scene of May’s FA Cup triumph.

"That was a special day and one that we can take confidence from," he added. "It was the first time some of the boys had been to a cup final so that was a big thing for them.

"It’s always nice to win and take the memories with you. We’ve also been there for the Community Shield and won that [against Leicester] so hopefully we can carry that on.”

EFL Cup Second Leg: Hull City 2 Man. United 1 (Aggregate 2- 3)

Manchester United are heading to Wembley Stadium for the EFL Cup final, after securing a 3-2 aggregate victory over spirited semi-finalists Hull City on Jose Mourinho’s 54th birthday.

The Reds began the match with a 2-0 first-leg lead and that advantage was halved when Tom Huddlestone scored a first-half penalty. Paul Pogba then restored parity on the night before Oumar Niasse's late goal earned the Tigers a 2-1 second-leg success, but it was not enough to change the outcome of the tie.

Southampton will now provide United's opposition in the final that is due to be held on 26 February, following Saints' impressive and deserved last-four victory over Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool.

Prior to Thursday night's kick-off in east Yorkshire, Hull’s players wore t-shirts that paid tribute to team-mate Ryan Mason as he recovers from a serious head injury suffered when playing against Chelsea at the weekend. Mourinho also wished the player well on behalf of United in his pre-match interviews.

Despite there being a muted atmosphere at the start of the match, with several thousand empty seats in the KCOM Stadium’s upper tier, Hull started with fire in their belly and registered two shots at United’s goal early on through Harry Maguire and Sam Clucas. Marcos Rojo, playing at left-back, then showed his attacking endeavour by pushing forward to hit a deflected effort wide of the post.

A minute’s applause was held in the 26th minute in a second tribute to Mason, yet the clapping came to an abrupt end and was transformed into cries of frustration when the Tigers almost broke the deadlock as Oumar Niasse’s powerful shot was strongly palmed away by David De Gea. The Hull fans were soon cheering, however, when Huddlestone dispatched a 36th-minute penalty into the bottom left corner, after referee Jon Moss harshly penalised Rojo for an apparent shove on Maguire.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic almost equalised immediately afterwards when the Swede dribbled from just inside the halfway line and shot from the edge of area, forcing opposition goalkeeper David Marshall to make an excellent save in the final piece of notable action before the half-time break.

STATS AT HALF-TIME
Possession: Hull 55% United 45%
Shots: Hull 8 United 2
Shots on target: Hull 4 United 1
Corners: Hull 3 United 3

United could and perhaps should have been awarded two penalties at the start of the second half, firstly after Hull captain Michael Dawson appeared to trip Pogba inside the area. Chris Smalling was also bundled to the ground by Huddlestone moments later but Moss waved play on for the second time, to the disbelief of the 4,179 Reds supporters in a packed away end at the KCOM Stadium.

Mourinho’s men deservedly drew level on the night with 66 minutes on the clock when Pogba stabbed home from close range, notching his seventh goal of the season while inspiring booming chants of “We’re the famous Man United and we’re going to Wembley” from the fans.

Rojo went close to scoring for a second time when his header clipped the top of the bar, before Hull rattled the woodwork themselves through the combative Niasse. The Tigers man unfortunately got his goal soon after, meeting a right-wing cross to finish past De Gea from close range on 85 minutes.

Although the hosts showed admirable fight in the closing stages, United claimed a 3-2 aggregate victory that means the Reds now have a chance to lift a second trophy of the season next month following the FA Community Shield success back in August. Bring on Wembley!

STATS AT FULL-TIME
Possession: Hull 54% United 46%
Shots: Hull 14 United 7
Shots on target: Hull 5 United 2
Corners: Hull 6 United 10

THE TEAMS

Hull: Marshall, Meyler, Dawson, Maguire, Huddlestone, Tymon, Clucas, Maloney (Evandro 64), Bowen (Markovic 59), Diomande (Hernandez 70), Niasse.
Subs: Kuciak, Robertson, Weir, Elabdellaoui.

United: De Gea, Darmian, Jones, Smalling, Rojo, Carrick, Herrera, Lingard (Rooney 79), Pogba, Rashford (Fellaini 90), Ibrahimovic.
Subs not used: Romero, Fosu-Mensah, Shaw, Mata, Mkhitaryan.
Booked: Jones, Rojo.

No Mourinho Grudge For Depay

Memphis Depay says he did not have a "bad relationship" with Jose Mourinho, even though he hardly played under him at Manchester United.

The 22-year-old left Old Trafford last week to join Lyon after falling out of favour under Mourinho. He played just 20 minutes in the Premier League this season before he was sold in a deal that could be worth £21.7m.

Following his departure, Mourinho did not rule out a return to United one day for Depay, who he said is "potentially a very good player".

And Depay does not appear to hold any grudge, telling OL TV: "His words were nice. In Manchester, I always worked as I had to. For me personally, it wasn't all that easy, I needed to play. But we didn't have a bad relationship.

"He's a great coach and a great person. Now we'll see here how I play. In any case, I think he has said good things about me."

Depay made his debut for Lyon as a substitute in the 3-1 win over Marseille at the weekend. And he says he is ready to push for a starting place: "I feel very good, in top form. My first week was good, training went very well, and little by little I'm getting back into the rhythm.

"Now I think I'm ready to start a game as of the next match. I'm training hard, my fitness is good. I think I can push for a starting place for the next game."

Credit: Skysports.com

Reds Subs Who Have Changed Games

There is always a clamour for team news before every Manchester United match, with fans desperate to learn which players are in the starting eleven. Yet this season, it has become important to also study the seven names on the bench, given Jose Mourinho's habit of making match-influencing substitutions.

Here, we highlight just five matches in the 2016/17 campaign when substitutes have made a significant impact, including two games against EFL Cup semi-final opponents Hull City...

HULL CITY 0 UNITED 1 | PREMIER LEAGUE | 27 AUGUST 2016
The Reds were completely dominant at the KCOM Stadium but the score frustratingly remained 0-0, until Marcus Rashford ghosted into the six-yard box to finish from Wayne Rooney's cross on 92 minutes. It was the teenager's first appearance of the Premier League season and his second-half introduction up front changed the game in United's favour, with the Tigers seemingly unable to handle his pace and direct play. Mourinho, who was "more than happy that we won in Fergie time", lavished words of praise on his match-winner. "Marcus is working extremely well and he gave a special contribution today," the boss told MUTV.

WEST HAM 0 UNITED 2 | PREMIER LEAGUE | 2 JANUARY 2017
The three changes made at the London Stadium represented a masterclass in game management. Mourinho replaced Matteo Darmian with Juan Mata at half-time, pushed Marcos Rojo to left-back and pulled Michael Carrick into centre-back, as the Reds pushed for an opener against the 10-man Hammers. Rashford was then introduced to attack a tiring defence from a wide position, which led to him providing an assist for his fellow substitute Mata to break the deadlock. Chris Smalling was also sent on to add steel to the backline, with the boss predicting the eventual (and ultimately ineffective) introduction of big Andy Carroll.

UNITED 2 HULL CITY 0 | EFL CUP SEMI-FINAL | 10 JANUARY 2017
The Tigers were stubborn, well-organised opponents in the first leg, no doubt inspired by the appointment of Marco Silva, but United found a deserved breakthrough via Mata on 56 minutes. Mourinho knew a 1-0 lead was precarious, however, and duly introduced Marouane Fellaini on 79 minutes with clear instructions. The Belgian repaid his faith by scoring an important second goal, wrapping up a 2-0 win that means Hull must win by at least two clear goals in Thursday night’s second leg. "I told him he was going to score the second goal," Jose said afterwards, in reaction to Felli running to hug him on the touchline.

UNITED 1 LIVERPOOL 1 | PREMIER LEAGUE | 15 JANUARY 2017
Five days after his positive cameo against Hull, Marouane earned more praise for another influential introduction. He replaced Michael Carrick at half-time when the Reds trailed 1-0 and provided more steel in midfield, while also allowing the Reds to attack a defensive Liverpool side with a more direct approach. Crucially, his header that bounced off the post led to Zlatan Ibrahimovic netting a much-deserved equaliser and Henrikh Mkhitaryan was pleased by his contribution, as well as the two other substitutions. "Not only Marouane but also Wayne Rooney and Juan Mata put freshness in the team," Micki said. "They helped us a lot up front and we are happy that they could change something in our game."

STOKE CITY 1 UNITED 1 | PREMIER LEAGUE | 21 JANUARY 2017
As you may have heard this week (!), Rooney became the club's all-time leading scorer on Saturday when his late free-kick secured a 1-1 draw at Stoke City. The set-piece was notably won by his fellow substitute Rashford when his dynamic, attacking run from the left wing was ended by a Joe Allen foul. Wayne, who had replaced Mata on 67 minutes, stepped up to arc his history-making finish into the top corner, providing yet another example of a game-changing substitution made by Mourinho this season.

Mourinho: EFL Cup Another Great Opportunity For Man. United

Jose Mourinho says he takes every competition seriously and is desperate for Manchester United to reach the final of the EFL Cup.

United travel to Hull for the second leg of their semi-final on Thursday evening, live on Sky Sports, holding a two-goal advantage from the first fixture. Southampton await in the final following their 2-0 aggregate victory over Liverpool.

Mourinho won the competition three times during his two spells with Chelsea and the Portuguese is determined to add to that at United.

The United manager said: "I have a special feeling for every competition.

"Every club should enjoy being in big matches, in finals. It doesn't matter how many titles the club has won before.

"I think we should be really focused on trying to go to the final. It's Wembley, it's a title, it's an occasion for a demonstration of love for the club with 30 or 40 thousand fans travelling to London. I would like to go to the final."

Luke Shaw could return to the United line-up for the first time since the EFL Cup tie with West Ham at the end of November.

The 21-year-old missed most of last season with a broken leg and has been troubled by a number of problems following this term but has been back in training for a fortnight.

The Portuguese said of Shaw: "He is ready to play now. If he plays tonight or Sunday or next Wednesday, he's not working with limitations so now he's ready.

"But it's a position where we have other options too. It's one of the positions where they have to fight, they have to compete, they have to show quality and stability in their performances to be in the team."

Credit: Skysports.com

United's 13 Previous League Cup Semi-finals

Manchester United have a proud record when it comes to success at the business end of cup runs, featuring in 97 semi-finals across all competitions prior to this month's tie against Hull City.

Thirteen of those semi-finals have come in the EFL Cup - or the Football League Cup, to use its original name - and United have progressed to the final nine times, losing the other four. One of the defeats was inflicted by Jose Mourinho, whose Chelsea side knocked United out with a second-leg win at Old Trafford - on his birthday 12 years ago!

The current Reds manager told MUTV this week: "The last time I had a match on my birthday was 26 January 2005, Old Trafford, the League Cup semi-final and it was Manchester United 1 Chelsea 2. We were going to extra-time but we [Chelsea] scored in the last five minutes and we went to the final. So let's see if this time I have that birthday gift too – of going to my first final with Manchester United."

That triumph at Old Trafford led to Mourinho winning the first of his three League Cups as Chelsea manager, while United have won the competition four times so far, all under Sir Alex Ferguson. The Portuguese boss is aiming to increase both of those tallies this term as he takes his team into Thursday's semi-final second leg match at the KCOM Stadium, leading 2-0 after goals from Juan Mata and Marouane Fellaini in the first leg a fortnight ago.

As the Reds prepare to compete for a place in the 2017 final at Wembley, where Southampton lie in wait, we're looking back at how United have fared in League Cup semi-final second legs over the years – starting with the first, almost five decades ago…

1969 - 17 December: United 2 Manchester City 2 (Lost 3-4 on aggregate)
The Reds' first ever League Cup semi-final proved to be a close-run thing against the club's local rivals but ended in disappointment after a narrow defeat over two legs. After a late penalty condemned United to a 2-1 defeat at Maine Road, Wilf McGuinness’s side knew only a win would be enough to progress and were on course to achieve it when goals from Paul Edwards and Denis Law cancelled out Ian Bowyer’s opener at Old Trafford. But there was to be a devastating sting in the tail as Mike Summerbee’s equaliser for City proved decisive and ended the Reds’ pursuit of the trophy.

1970 - 23 December: Aston Villa 2 United 1 (Won 3-2 on aggregate)
There was to be little festive cheer for the Reds as the Villans proved to be party poopers in the first of six meetings between the sides in the competition to date. After Brian Kidd scored in a 1-1 draw in the first leg at Old Trafford, the Manchester-born forward looked to have put United on route to an all-important victory at Villa Park – where the Reds have established a formidable record over the years. But it proved to be as good as it would get for McGuiness’s men as goals from Villa’s Andy Lochhead and Pat McMahon turned the tie on its head and meant the wait for the Reds' maiden appearance in a League Cup final went on.

1975 - 22 January: Norwich 1 United 0 (Lost 2-3 on aggregate)
The Reds' venture in the competition ended at the last-four stage following a closely-fought battle against the 1973 runners-up. A scoring double from Lou Macari looked to have been enough to secure United a first-leg win before Ted MacDougall’s late equaliser for the Canaries at Old Trafford. It left the second leg tantalisingly poised at Carrow Road but, despite the visitors' best efforts, Norwich’s Player of the Year Colin Suggett scored the only goal nine minutes into the second half to settle the tie in their favour.

1983 - 23 February: United 2 Arsenal 1 (Won 6-3 on aggregate)
This was a landmark occasion for the Reds, who advanced to a first-ever final appearance in the competition after proving more than a match for the Gunners in a thrilling last-four showdown. After Norman Whiteside, Frank Stapleton and a Steve Coppell brace gave United a 4-2 win at Highbury, Ron Atkinson’s men were in good shape heading into the second leg. Despite losing Bryan Robson to an ankle ligament injury early on, the Reds were determined to finish the job and give the Old Trafford crowd something to smile about. Coppell put further daylight between the sides in the 73rd minute and, after Raphael Meade notched for the Gunners, Kevin Moran’s last-gasp winner on the night sealed a convincing aggregate triumph but United had to settle for runners-up medals after a 2-1 final defeat by Liverpool at Wembley.

1991 - 24 February: Leeds United 0 United 1 (Won 3-1 on aggregate)
The clubs that would battle for the league title a year later contested a place in the 1991 League Cup final with two close games at Old Trafford and Elland Road. Goals from Lee Sharpe and Brian McClair on home turf gave the Reds a 2-1 lead at the halfway stage before a hostile reception awaited for the decisive away leg. The travelling fans were sent home happy from West Yorkshire after Sharpe struck again in the 90th minute to seal a deserved win - but a second final appearance ended in disappointment with a 1-0 Wembley defeat to a Sheffield Wednesday side managed by former Reds boss Ron Atkinson.

1992 - 11 March: United 2 Middlesbrough 1 (Won 2-1 on aggregate)
It was the last season the Reds spent in the old First Division but the campaign yielded a first for the club - the first time the League Cup was brought into the Old Trafford trophy room. As has been the case on numerous occasions down the years, there was little to choose between the two sides during the semi-final as Sir Alex Ferguson’s men were taken the distance by a resolute Middlesbrough. After a largely uninspiring first leg at Ayresome Park ended goalless, almost 46,000 fans packed inside Old Trafford to see if the Reds could progress. Despite the muddy conditions, Lee Sharpe finished off a well-worked move to put United ahead and, although Bernie Slaven levelled for Boro to force extra-time, Ryan Giggs settled matters with a close-range volley. Success in the competition had eluded the Reds, after defeats in the club's two previous finals, but it proved to be third time lucky as Brian McClair’s goal saw off Nottingham Forest at Wembley.

1994 - 2 March: Sheffield Wednesday 1 United 4 (Won 5-1 on aggregate)
Unusually, if history is anything to go by, the Reds were at home for the first leg of the last-four tie against the Owls, who had established some pedigree in the competition in the preceding years having won it for the first time in 1990/91 and finishing runners-up in 1992-93. Ryan Giggs slotted home from the tightest of angles to give United a slender lead heading to Hillsborough, where early goals from Brian McClair and Andrei Kanchelskis and a brace from Mark Hughes sealed a comfortable victory for the Reds. But unfortunately there was to be no repeat in the final as United went on to lose 3-1 against Aston Villa at Wembley.

2003 - 22 January: Blackburn Rovers 1 United 3 (Won 4-2 on aggregate)
It was another all-Premier League affair for the Reds which presented a tough assignment against a Blackburn side who had won the competition the year before. The first leg at Old Trafford had a Paul Scholes strike cancelled out by David Thompson in the second half to leave the tie finely balanced. Andy Cole famously struck against his former club to give Rovers an aggregate lead early in the second leg at Ewood Park before the Reds hit back through a brace from the in-form Scholes and a Ruud van Nistelrooy penalty. The club’s fifth appearance in the final wasn’t a memorable one for United, losing 2-0 at the hands of fierce rivals Liverpool at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff.

2005 - 26 January: United 1 Chelsea 2 (Lost 1-2 on aggregate)
There was much anticipation surrounding the tie as the two heavyweights, fighting for supremacy in the Premier League, were pitched together for a tense battle which had fans on the edge of their seats but left United supporters wondering what might have been. With the tie delicately poised after a Stamford Bridge stalemate, Ryan Giggs cancelled out Frank Lampard’s opener in the second leg at Old Trafford with a stunning chip. But, just as extra time loomed, Damien Duff broke the hosts' hearts with a free-kick five minutes from time to send current Reds boss Mourinho and his Chelsea side through to the final against Liverpool, as Sir Alex Ferguson suffered his first defeat in a domestic semi-final as United manager.

2006 - 25 January: United 2 Blackburn 1 (Won 3-2 on aggregate)
Not for the first time, the Reds were drawn against Blackburn in the last four and found the going tough against a well-drilled Rovers side, managed by former United striker Mark Hughes. After a keenly-contested away leg finished 1-1, the Reds got off to the perfect start at Old Trafford when Ruud van Nistelrooy fired home early on but, after Steven Reid’s equaliser for Rovers, the Dutch striker couldn’t get the better of Brad Friedel from the penalty spot. That miss meant it was all to play for in the second half but a fine volley by Louis Saha, who also scored in the first leg, sent United through to the final, where the Reds ran riot with a four-goal thumping of Wigan to lift the trophy at the Millenium Stadium.

2009 - 20 January: United 4 Derby County 2 (Won 4-3 on aggregate)
It may not have been the most glamorous semi-final the Reds have played in but, despite the best efforts of a brave Derby side, Sir Alex Ferguson's English, European and World club champions eventually took care of business to book another Wembley date. In front of an expectant Old Trafford crowd, United quickly wiped out the visitors’ 1-0 first-leg advantage with a trademark long-distance effort by Nani and further strikes from John O’Shea and Carlos Tevez and a Cristiano Ronaldo penalty put the tie beyond the Rams' reach. Although a Giles Barnes brace gave the Championship side a glimmer of hope, United deservedly prevailed and went on to lift the first domestic silverware of the season with a penalty shootout success against Tottenham, after 120 nail-biting minutes without a goal.

2010 - 25 January: United 3 Manchester City 1 (Won 4-3 on aggregate)
The Reds once again swatted aside the rising challenge of local rivals City in an epic tussle seven years ago. Carlos Tevez’s brace against his old club had given the Blues the edge heading into the second leg at Old Trafford but United, roared on by an incredible atmosphere, overturned the deficit through strikes by Paul Scholes and Michael Carrick. Despite Tevez's flick bringing the aggregate score level, the Reds piled on the pressure late on and were rewarded in dramatic fashion as Wayne Rooney powerfully headed in a Ryan Giggs cross to send the home crowd wild. Rooney went on to score another headed winner as the Reds retained the trophy, beating Aston Villa 2-1 in the final to win the competition for a fourth time.

2014 - 22 January: United 2 Sunderland 1 (Lost 1-2 on penalties; 3-3 on aggregate)
It was a case of so near yet so far for the Reds three years ago after a night of drama and agony at the Theatre of Dreams. Not for the first time United had to come from behind after a first-leg defeat but were up to the task as Jonny Evans levelled the tie with a fine first-half finish. Events took a turn for the worse when Sunderland’s Phil Bardsley looked to have haunted his former club with a goal in the 119th minute, but with seconds of extra-time remaining, Javier Hernandez popped up with a decisive goal to rescue David Moyes’s team and force a penalty shoot-out. However, it wasn’t to be the Reds' night as only Darren Fletcher could convert from the spot for the hosts and the Black Cats went on to lose the final to Manchester City.