Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag says the 4-3 FA Cup quarter-final victory over arch-rivals Liverpool could be the turning point of their season.
Trailing deep in both normal and extra time, United eventually went through in thrilling style thanks to Amad Diallo’s late, late winner.
It keeps alive United’s hopes of lifting silverware this season and, with their main rivals for a Champions League spot, Tottenham and Aston Villa, both dropping points, Ten Hag feels the win, could be significant.
“This could be that moment,” said Ten Hag. “It can give the team the belief and energy to do amazing things. When you beat Liverpool you can beat any opponent.”
Ten Hag said he believed his side’s performance in the first half hour was their best of the season.
However, the situation appeared bleak when Alexis Mac Allister and Mo Salah both scored in the final stages of the opening period to give the visitors the advantage.
It took substitute Antony to rescue the situation three minutes from time then, after Harvey Elliott had put Liverpool ahead again, Marcus Rashford equalised eight minutes before the end of extra time before Diallo finished off a length of the field breakaway to book a Wembley semi-final showdown with Championship side Coventry, managed by old United FA Cup hero Mark Robins.
For Diallo, it was his best day in a United shirt.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was manager when the club paid £19m for the Ivory Coast international in 2021.
He has since had loan spells at Rangers and with Sunderland, where he won last season’s young player of the year award.
But injury has disrupted his progress this season and Sunday’s substitute appearance was only his fourth of the entire campaign.
