Cup needed to show progress says Phelan

Assistant manager Mike Phelan has stressed the importance of lifting a cup as Manchester United head for tomorrow’s Europa League semi-final with Sevilla.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s first full season as the Old Trafford manager has ended with third place in the league, Champions League qualification and three semi-final spots.

But Phelan, who has won titles with the club as both player and coach, knows silverware is key.

“It’s very important to show, at the end of the season, all the hard work you’ve put into it and that is usually done with silverware,” he said.

“We’ve come a long way in a short space of time. Getting to three semifinals and finishing third was terrific, but it’s not the be all and end all.

“You need to show something, which is a trophy at the end of a season.”