Erik ten Hag will push for Manchester United to win the Carabao Cup this season, with their first test coming tonight.
The Red Devils will grace Old Trafford tonight for the final time until after Christmas when all players return from international duty.
They will take on Aston Villa for the second time in four days and will be looking to bounce back after suffering a 3-1 league defeat at Villa Park on Sunday.
United last lifted the trophy in 2017 under the reign of Jose Mourinho, when they beat Southampton 3-2 at Wembley Stadium.
Clubs in the top six tend to use the early stages of the competition to field weakened teams, and instead prioritise the Premier League and Europe. However, with Ten Hag still getting to grips with the squad at his disposal, it may be useful to utilise players returning from injury, such as Anthony Martial, and give opportunities to younger players like Alejandro Garnacho.
Whilst the cup is not viewed as the most lucrative trophy, it is a chance for Ten Hag to get some silverware under his belt and build momentum amongst the players.
Ten Hag sets his sights on winning the trophy
The Dutchman did a conference with fans via MUTV this week.
One fan asked: “The Carabao Cup is sometimes deemed the least important of the trophies to play for in the English season. How important is it for you personally to win it and how important is it to the current squad’s development to win it this season, more than any other?”
Ten Hag responded: “It’s about the culture. The culture has to be understood by everyone around Manchester United, but the players in particular. We have to win every game. We take every game seriously, also in this cup. We want to win this cup.”