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Erik ten Hag wants to bring Carabao Cup to the fans

Fred celebrates with team-mates after scoring United's second
Fred celebrates with team-mates after scoring United's second

Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag says his side have to finish the job at Wembley after sealing their place in the Carabao Cup final.

United will face Newcastle in the showpiece on 26 February after they beat Nottingham Forest 2-0 in the semi-final second leg at Old Trafford to seal a 5-0 aggregate win.

The foundations were laid with a 3-0 triumph at the City Ground in last week's first leg and quickfire goals in the second half from Anthony Martial and Fred rubber-stamped their trip to the capital.

It is their first domestic final since 2018, when they lost the FA Cup, and puts them one win away from ending a six-year trophy drought, going back to the 2017 Europa League success under Jose Mourinho.

Ten Hag knows it is not job done, saying: "It's good to reach the final, but it's not about reaching the final, it's about winning it that's going to be tough, a great opponent.

"Now the focus is on the Premier League, in two days it will continue. It has to give the motivation in the first place, we want to bring that cup to the fans.

"But in this moment I'm not looking ahead, we're focusing on other things, a big week is coming up, we have Crystal Palace and then two games against Leeds and they are going to be great games, derby games that we are looking forward to."

Another positive for United was the return of Jadon Sancho, who made his first United appearance since October after a lengthy absence.

Sancho was "not in the right status or fitness state" having done an individual fitness programme in the Netherlands rather than travel to the squad's winter camp to Spain.

He returned to huge cheers from the Old Trafford crowd and Ten Hag is looking forward to getting the 22-year-old back to his best.

"Most important players (have to) enjoy football, which gives energy, that gives them the motivation to act and to perform," the Dutchman added.

"I think it was great, the reception from the fans to him, and also that will give him even more a push to continue in the way he's now acting, he's just started again, the restart he's back at Carrington for two weeks, we see that smile and hopefully he can keep that and contribute to the team.

"He already showed his quality this season for instance, the game against Liverpool, a great goal, scored against Leicester, he had some really good games, Spurs, he already showed his great capabilities.

"I hope when you are available all the time and play often together with the players we have now in the midfield and front line, our attacking play will improve and create more chances, then it's a process players enjoy more and better motivated to work together."

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