LONDON – Erik ten Hag believes Manchester United’s thrilling 4-3 FA Cup quarter-final victory over Liverpool can be the launching pad for a successful end to a troubled season for the Red Devils.

United’s final chance at silverware this season appeared to be slipping away at Old Trafford on March 17, as twice the hosts needed to come from behind late on to end Liverpool’s chances of a quadruple in Jurgen Klopp’s final season.

Amad Diallo’s breakaway goal in extra time won a chaotic tie in the 121st minute and could prove to be a turning point in ten Hag’s reign.

United are now huge favourites to reach the FA Cup final for a second consecutive season, after being paired with Championship side Coventry City in the last four. Holders Manchester City play Chelsea in the other semi-final.

Ten Hag had been under rising pressure as his side sit sixth in the English Premier League, nine points adrift of the top four. They also exited early in both the Champions League and League Cup.

However, the former Ajax Amsterdam boss believes his side are on an upward trajectory, having lost just twice in 12 games in 2024.

“This could be that moment, the team have the belief and energy to do amazing things. When you beat Liverpool, you can beat any opponent,” said ten Hag.

Former United captain Roy Keane suggested the March 17 thriller could galvanise the team, particularly the youngsters.

“A lot of players have never had Old Trafford bouncing like that. The feel-good factor for these players can be massive for the rest of the season,” Keane said on ITV.

United’s young guns came to the fore as Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo shone before Diallo came off the bench to score just his second goal for the club.

Said ten Hag: “I thought the first 35 minutes were the best I have seen from my team this season... We show again that the future of this team is very bright. There is huge potential. We have to get it out and get consistency.”

United sped out of the blocks and were rewarded when Scott McTominay tapped home his ninth goal of the season after Garnacho was denied by Caoimhin Kelleher.

The defeat was just Liverpool’s fifth this season, two of which came with weakened sides in the group stages of the Europa League.

Klopp admitted his side showed the first signs of fatigue from a draining schedule, but they did not go down without a fight.

He said: “We have had a much more intense season so far, everybody knows that, you just have to count the games.

“Today was hard, very hard. The longer the game goes, the decision-making doesn’t get any better.”

Two goals in three minutes before half-time turned the tie in the visitors’ favour. Alexis Mac Allister blasted past Andre Onana before Mohamed Salah struck for the 13th time in 14 games against United.

United’s challenge was petering out until Antony came off the bench to score at Old Trafford for the first time in over a year, when he found the far corner three minutes from time.

Antony’s equaliser set the fuse for a frantic finale as Liverpool hit the post through Harvey Elliott before Marcus Rashford missed a glorious chance even before extra time.

Elliott’s deflected effort put Liverpool back in front in the 105th minute, but Rashford made amends by drilling home to level at 3-3.

Just as Liverpool sensed the chance to win it from a corner at the death, Garnacho broke clear and teed up Diallo to score his first United goal in three years.

After the match, Klopp lost his composure with a Scandinavian TV reporter who had asked why his team had seemed to lose intensity in extra time.

He said: “Bit of a dumb question, I have to say. We played I don’t know how many games recently (18 in 2024), I don’t know how many games United (12) exactly played.”

The reporter followed up by asking: “So too many games?”, causing Klopp to remark: “Come on, you are obviously not in a great shape, and I have no nerves for you,” before walking off. AFP, REUTERS