ETH: Your legacy is trophies
have to win trophies. We are going in a good direction. On Sunday we have an opportunity to win a trophy.
“But after Sunday we are still in three competitions where we have good opportunities to also win something.
“It’s massive. But first we have to get the first one so we don’t think further ahead.
“We have to put everything we have into getting the trophy to Manchester.”
United legends Gary Neville, Paul Scholes and Rio Ferdinand have praised Ten Hag for the job he has done since leaving Ajax to take charge at Old Trafford last summer.
And Peter Schmeichel described Thursday night’s Europa League victory over Barcelona as “vintage Sir Alex Ferguson”.
Ten Hag said: “Sometimes it’s difficult for the players of today because every time there is a reference to the past and the big history that the former players made.
“And I can imagine those [former] players, because you love the club and it’s a big part of your life – and what you most love you are most critical of because you want them to do well.
“So I can understand that sometimes it affects players, but it’s part of our job to live with criticism and see it as a gift and to do better.
“As a player for Manchester United you know you have to perform – you know you have to win games and win trophies.
“That can only be possible if you have togetherness because you can’t do it on your own.”
Ten Hag added: “I’ve never had the opportunity to be at Wembley and experience a game there.
“I am looking forward to it. It’s a big joy. If you win it and it’s good, the impact it can have.
“But if not, then we have to get more opportunities and carry on the process because we are still going in the right direction.”