Erik ten Hag sums up Man Utd feelings with response to Man City treble question
Erik ten Hag will relish the chance to wreck Manchester City's Treble bid - once Manchester United have secured Champions League football.
United and City meet on June 3rd at Wembley in the first all-Manchester FA Cup final since the world's oldest football trophy was first presented in 1872. But Ten Hag said his immediate focus is on ensuring United clinch a top-four place and a return to the Champions league next season.
United could achieve that goal on Saturday, if they beat Bournemouth away and arch rivals Liverpool lose at home to Aston Villa. Once his side's top-four fate is decided, Ten Hag admitted he will turn his attention to ending City's bid to emulate United's historic Treble triumph of 1999.
Asked about adding the FA Cup to the Carabao Cup and ending City's Treble bid, Ten Hag said: "When we have three games and it’s gone, yes, I will enjoy it. Before that, it is not important at all.
“I think we have to keep doing what we have all season - improve every day and improve every game and not look too far ahead. Focusing on the next game is the most important thing."
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Asked if City can be stopped, after their seismic 4-0 semi-final trouncing of holders Real Madrid in the semi-final, Ten Hag said: "Next week I will give you that answer."
Erik ten Hag is closing in on a top-four finish (Getty Images)Do you think Manchester United can stop Manchester City from winning 'The Treble'? Let us know in the comments below!
One player who will be key to United ruining City's Treble bid is 29-goal top scorer Marcus Rashford, who is a doubt for today's game. Rashford missed training through illness yesterday and is unlikely to be included in United's travelling squad for the match.
The England striker has one year left on his current deal, but Ten Hag is confident the 25-year-old will sign a new long-term contract extension. "Marcus wants to stay and we want him to stay, so I think we will find each other," said Ten Hag.
Asked why it was taking so long to agree new contract terms with Rashford, who is currently on £200,000-a-week but wants in excess of £300,000-a-week, Ten Hag was tight-lipped. "I know why, but I don’t talk about the process," he said. "Let the process go.
"Once again, this is not important at the moment for me or Rashy. For him, the important thing is to get more goals this season. He's playing a wonderful season and the team is playing a wonderful season. We have to get into the Champions League and focus on that."
Ten Hag was asked if he was concerned the drawn-out nature of United's future ownership could affect his transfer plans this summer. "We do our job in the background and we're working hard, but, for now, it's about games, getting into the Champions League and the FA Cup," said the United boss.
"For me, it's about finance and that there is the money available to do the right things. But first of all, we have to be in the Champions League and the top four and that is our focus."
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