Manchester United thinking about cup treble, says Valencia

Friday, 3 March 2017 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Reuters: Manchester United’s League Cup triumph over Southampton has boosted their belief that the Premier League giants have the ability to add both the Europa League and the FA Cup to their trophy haul this season, right back Antonio Valencia said.

United have a tricky two-legged last-16 Europa League clash against Russian side Rostov this month and they face formidable Chelsea in their FA Cup quarter-final on March 13.

“This is the mentality that we have - that trophy has given us much confidence. We are thinking about these three trophies. I think we can do it,” Valencia told British media.

“We have to realise we are Manchester United and that we can go on to win these three trophies.”

Since the 2013 retirement of Alex Ferguson, who won more than 30 trophies during his 26-year spell in charge, United have managed just one major piece of silverware - the FA Cup last season - prior to Sunday’s League Cup win.

Valencia said United have come closer to recreating the “fear factor” they had during the Ferguson-era under current manager Jose Mourinho.

“I think it’s the same atmosphere. We have that security of playing under a top manager,” the Ecuador international added.

“I think the fear factor we have to create ourselves, we have to put the fear into teams every time they come to Old Trafford.”

United, currently sixth in the league, host 14th-placed Bournemouth on Saturday.