Man Utd are the one facet in Europe’s high 5 leagues nonetheless in with an opportunity of successful all 4 trophies; United play in all 4 competitions in an 11-day interval beginning on Thursday within the Europa League in opposition to Barcelona adopted by Sunday’s Carabao Cup remaining in opposition to Newcastle

By the night of Sunday March 5, Manchester United could possibly be Carabao Cup winners, within the Europa League Round of 16, FA Cup quarter-finalists and stay within the Premier League title race.

In reality, United are the one membership in Europe’s high 5 leagues nonetheless in with an opportunity of successful all 4 trophies – one thing boss Erik ten Hag was eager to level out in his programme notes on Sunday forward of the 3-0 home win over Leicester.

A pivotal 11-day interval that sees United combating on all 4 fronts begins on Thursday, with the Europa League knockout spherical play-off second leg in opposition to Barcelona at Old Trafford.

The tie stays finely poised after a thrilling 2-2 draw in the first leg at the Nou Camp, and the return fixture was instantly on Ten Hag’s thoughts after the ultimate whistle on Sunday as he issued a rallying message to the followers when heading down the tunnel.

When requested what he mentioned to the group, he replied: “I mentioned, ‘come Thursday, it’s a huge recreation. Make certain you’re there and we’re certain we are able to beat Barcelona collectively’.

“I thank the fans when they have that trust in me. I feel committed with this club and I love to be here.

“I’ll give the whole lot to carry out nearly as good as potential. To convey them hopefully throughout limits.”

Getting previous the LaLiga leaders – who’re unbeaten of their final 18 video games in all competitions – will solely additional United followers’ belief in Ten Hag, who’s getting into a crunch section early in his Old Trafford reign.

Just three days after dealing with Barcelona, United arguably have an excellent larger match – the Carabao Cup remaining in opposition to Newcastle, dwell on Sky Sports.

United, although, will solely have two full days to arrange for his or her first remaining in two years, whereas Newcastle have a full week to concentrate on Sunday’s showpiece occasion as they bid to win their first main home trophy in 68 years.

“Man Utd play on Thursday night against Barcelona in what is an important, monumental second leg after a brilliant game in the Nou Camp, so that might equalise it a little bit, that Man Utd have other thoughts this week,” Gary Neville told his Sky Sports podcast.

But Ten Hag sees two enormous matches within the area of 4 days otherwise.

“It’s a big advantage for us,” the Dutchman advised Sky Sports on the weekend. “We are used to playing big games and that will be a huge advantage for us. It’s about us to keep the momentum going.”

The momentum proper now could be definitely with United, fairly than Eddie Howe’s Newcastle – and victory over Barcelona on Thursday would solely strengthen United’s perception and confidence heading to Wembley.

Ten Hag’s males are already the bookmakers’ favourites to beat a Newcastle facet who’re winless in three video games and are without goalkeeper Nick Pope on Sunday.

“Newcastle not having Pope for the Carabao Cup final is a blow to them,” Neville mentioned. “It has to be an advantage to United for Newcastle to lose such an important player.

“But it may be a extremely attention-grabbing recreation. I’m going to be there and I can not look ahead to it as a result of it is a actually intriguing story that each these golf equipment are determined for a trophy.”

Indeed, a win for United at Wembley would end their six-year trophy drought and give Ten Hag his first piece of silverware as Red Devils boss in his first season in charge.

The League Cup’s significance should not be lost on the 53-year-old either – it was the first trophy that both Jose Mourinho and Pep Guardiola won in English football.

But silverware is not any assure of long-term prosperity at United, with each Mourinho and Louis van Gaal faltering on the membership regardless of trophy success.

Neville, nevertheless, is assured {that a} Carabao Cup remaining victory wouldn’t herald one other false daybreak at Old Trafford.

“We have been here before at this level,” he mentioned, “but this manager [Ten Hag] does seem to have something different at this moment in time.

“He’s getting much more out of that squad than I’d count on.

“I think the managers before him had better players and better squads, but it does feel like this manager is getting a lot out of them.”

The significance of Carabao Cup success for the season forward can’t be underestimated too – seven of the final 9 winners of the competitors have gone on to win one other trophy in the identical marketing campaign.

Last yr, Liverpool adopted up their League Cup win by lifting the FA Cup – a contest United are nonetheless alive on this season.

And simply three days after Sunday’s remaining, the FA Cup might be Ten Hag’s subsequent focus with United internet hosting West Ham within the fifth spherical on March 1.

They might be anticipated to beat the relegation-threatened Hammers and attain the quarter-finals to be three wins from probably one other trophy, in a contest the place solely Manchester City are shorter odds to win it.

Then, 4 days later, United return to Premier League motion with a go to to rivals Liverpool on March 5, dwell on Sky Sports.

But, due to United’s congested schedule, they might discover themselves 14 factors behind leaders Arsenal if the Gunners win all three of their league video games between now and March 4.

Meanwhile, second-placed Man City could possibly be 9 factors away from third-place United in the event that they win their two league matches in the identical interval.

The Liverpool fixture might be one in every of two video games in hand for United on Arsenal and City, though the journey to Anfield may abruptly really feel like a should win if they’re to maintain up their title hopes.

Sunday’s win over Leicester moved them to inside 5 factors of Arsenal, however Ten Hag dismissed any title chatter saying “it’s February, it’s not about the title race”.

Instead, his solely focus is Barcelona – “first of all, we think about the next game on Thursday” – as Ten Hag and United enter a season-defining interval.

Man Utd’s next six fixtures

Thursday: Barcelona (A) – Europa League knockout spherical play-off second leg, kick-off 8pm

Sunday: Newcastle (Wembley) – EFL Cup remaining, kick-off 4.30pm, dwell on Sky Sports

March 1: West Ham (H) – FA Cup fifth spherical, kick-off 7.45pm

March 5: Liverpool (A) – Premier League, kick-off 4.30pm, dwell on Sky Sports

March 11: Southampton (H) – Premier League, kick-off 3pm

March 19: Brighton (A) – Premier League, kick-off 2pm