Rashford told Reds need him
“It’s too long that this club hasn’t won a trophy, we have to get back on track,” said Ten Hag.
“It’s the best feeling you can have, winning a trophy. I’ve had the luck in (above) of him at what is an important time.
“We’re really proud that he’s spoken up, it takes a real man to say some of the things he has and hopefully he stays positive.”
Success
Lingard was on the scoresheet for United in their last triumph in this competition in 2017 – as well as their FA Cup final success a year earlier.
And boss Cooper has been delighted with the impact senior players like Lingard have had in helping build a winning mentality around the club.
Cooper added: “I want the players to be driving the culture, not me.
“That’s when I feel you have it right in the dressing room.
“People who have done good things in the past are in the dressing room and they can compare. It’s really helpful.”
Forest have won the competition four times, but it is their first major semi-final since 1992 – the season in which they were beaten in the final by United.
And Cooper has urged his players to “embrace” that rich history and now make their own.
Pressure
He added: “We try not to let it be an added pressure.
“We want to use it as a motivation to show who we are and what we represent.
– a fanatic audience is nice to play for. It will be a good atmosphere and I think it will motivate the players.”
With United just three games away from a first trophy in Ten Hag’s first season, he is set to pick his strongest side tonight, which is likely to include €100m winger Antony.
Antony has frustrated fans with his over-reliance on his left foot and predictability, with Ten Hag admitting the Brazilian must improve.
“He can do better, I see space for improvement and we want him to be more direct,” said Ten Hag.
“The team is performing better if he’s on the pitch and that’s a good thing, a good base to build on. “He scored in his first three league games and now he’s scored against Everton and Charlton. But with his capabilities, he can do even more.”
“You can’t get away from the history of this club – and you shouldn’t. We should be proud of that.
“We’re in the semi of an important cup and how often do they come along?
“For many players this will be the first time.
“We should go into it thinking they don’t come along very often. There’s a really good feeling about it in the city. The atmosphere will be incredible and we should embrace that.”
Improve
ERIK TEN HAG has challenged Marcus Rashford to stay at Manchester United and help them become the best team in the world.
The in-form striker is out of contract at the end of next season and talks over a new deal have yet to begin.
Rashford has 17 goals for United this season, including nine in his last nine games, and that run has attracted interest from Paris St-Germain, with the rest of Europe’s top clubs monitoring his contract situation.
But Ten Hag has told Rashford, who will start tonight’s League Cup semifinal first leg at Nottingham Forest, he can achieve all of his ambitions at United. “I hope that all our players can have interest from clubs, because that means you’re doing a good job and the team is performing,” said Ten Hag.
“Then I would say this is the best place for him to be, because we want to construct the very best team — first in England, then Europe, then the world.
Qualities
“This team is constructed so that his qualities come in front, so I think he knows that he is important for us if we want to get the success we want. We need him.
“I think he understands Manchester United is his club first and also in this environment, this team, he’s playing his best football.”
Ten Hag is still without striker Anthony Martial (above), with the Old
Trafford chief admitting the club must get to the bottom of his recurring injuries.
“He has to be more available,” added Ten Hag. “We play our best football when he’s available.”
Meanwhile, Forest are pushing to bring in PSG keeper Keylor Navas on loan after losing Dean Henderson.
United loanee Henderson is out until nearly the end of February with a thigh injury.
Wales international Wayne Hennessey has stepped up but Reds boss Steve Cooper is considering bringing in another shot-stopper.
Former Real Madrid No.1, Navas (36) played every minute for Costa Rica at the World Cup but is yet to feature in Ligue 1 for PSG.