On loan midfielder Marcel Sabitzer insists he is happy "to do the dirty work" at Manchester United after grabbing his first goal for the club on Sunday.
Sabitzer put his team in front during their 3-1 FA Cup quarter-final victory over Fulham with a flicked finish soon after United had levelled the scores at Old Trafford.
Referee Chris Kavanagh had just awarded United a penalty and shown the Cottagers three red cards in 40 seconds as manager Marco Silva, Willian and goalscorer Aleksandr Mitrovic were all sent-off.
Bruno Fernandes had made it 1-1 from the spot after Willian's deliberate handball and Sabitzer made it 2-1 just two minutes later as their opponents imploded in spectacular fashion. Fernandes added another in stoppage time against Fulham's nine men.
Sabitzer, who moved to United on loan from Bayern Munich until the end of the season as cover for the injured Christian Eriksen, is unsure about his long-term future but is enjoying his time in England.
“I had to make a quick decision [to join] in January,” said the 29-year-old Austrian. “I was focused on this, it was clear it is just a loan until the summer.
“I take every game as it comes, I am very happy to be here. I will give 100 per cent. Whatever happens in the summer, we will see.
“I can play all over midfield, I think. I like to do the dirty work. I like to run, to go forward, box-to-box movements. A lot of transitions and high-intensity games are what I am having here.
“I am very happy to be part of this team, this amazing club, and I feel very welcomed. I am very happy at the moment.”
Sabitzer has already collected a League Cup winner's medal after coming on for the last 20 minutes of the Red Devils 2-0 win over Newcastle United.
And he is now set for Wembley Stadium return for United's FA Cup semi-final against Brighton next month thanks to their dramatic victory over Fulham.
Man United 3 Fulham 1: Player ratings
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MANCHESTER UNITED RATINGS: David de Gea 8 - Tipped a Diop header over as Fulham started well and pressured his box from wide. Crowd nervous when the ball went back to him. Top save from Robinson on 46 and then, with his fingers, from Willian a minute later. Diving save from Mitrovic on 65 – kept United in the game. AFP -
Aaron Wan-Bissaka 7 - Poor ball to Rashford allowed a seventh minute Fulham attack. Space to bomb forward as United’s front three bunched tightly. Beaten to a ball by Willian in the first half, then could do little as Mitrovic put Fulham ahead. Better when Antony came on. AP -
Lisandro Martinez 7 - Put under pressure and looked heavy as Reed won the ball from him. Clashed with Mitrovic on 25 but no penalty given. Steady Eddy. Getty -
Harry Maguire 6 - Started after playing well in Seville. Too tight on Mitrovic and booked after 21. Put his hands on De Cordova-Reid to concede a foul when he didn’t need to but made a strong header to clear a Pereira cross. Reuters -
Luke Shaw 7 - Beaten by Reed as Fulham attacked again on 25. Set up Sabitzer for the second with a cross and much better in the second when he always looked to get forward. AFP -
Scott McTominay 6 - Outshone by Reed and Willian in the middle. Had one shot. First player off in a poor performance for his team. It would become eventful after he departed. AP -
Marcel Sabitzer 7 - Played in Rashford for a 31st minute attack. Strong shot on target after 39 then put a ball across the goal on 41. Finely weighted ball towards Rashford on 67. Better as the game went on and scored the second goal. Getty -
Marcus Rashford 6 - Tidy without getting into the game. Set Weghorst up early on, then played a super ball towards to the same player in the first half. Left the pitch with the Stretford End singing his name. Getty -
Jadon Sancho 7 - Almost nothing in the first half bar a ball to set up Sabitzer. Better in the second when he was more central. Had a first effort on target deflected wide by Rashford on 67. His shot led to United’s penalty, Fulham fury and an equaliser. Passed to Shaw who set up the second. AFP -
Bruno Fernandes 8 - Floored by Willian after eight, put a ball in too close to Leno on 17. Brilliant tackle to set off a first half attack. Side-footed a Rashford set up wide on 53, then put the penalty in after Fulham had been reduced to nine and no manager. Scored the third, teeing it up to strike the ball solidly and confirm a trip to Wembley. Getty Images -
Wout Weghorst 5 - A nuisance and a battering ram who works hard but seldom scores. Weak shot on target after 11. Involved in what build ups United had but would a better No 9 have taken some of the chances that came his way. AFP -
SUBS: Antony 7 - On for McTominay after 57. Attacked on the break and set up Sancho in the lead to the attack which saw United’s penalty. AFP -
Fred 6 - On for Rashford after 82. Set up Fernandes in time added on. AP -
FULHAM RATINGS: Bernd Leno 5 - Comfortable commanding his area and made the stops that were expected, but Fulham’s defence collapsed after the equaliser to see him concede three goals in the final stages. AP -
Antonee Robinson 6 - Handled the threat of Antony well and showed intent when in attacking areas, though could have been more accurate with his crossing. Getty -
Tim Ream 6 - Positioned well alongside Issa Diop and didn’t have too much to deal with before the penalty. Took care of the ball when transitioning it out of defence. AFP -
Issa Diop 7 - Assured in defence and helped get his side in front with an astute flick that guided the ball into Mitrovic for the opener. Showed patience against Antony when the winger looked to play inside. Getty -
Kenny Tete 7 - Made overlapping runs down the right-flank, and he was incisive with his decisions to get crosses into the box. Kept Sancho quiet for the most part, but faced a struggle after Fulham found themselves down to nine. AP -
Joao Palhinha 8 - A solid midfield display saw Palhinha, the Premier League’s leading tackler this season, demonstrate all of his abilities by consistently breaking up United attacks. Reuters -
Harrison Reed 6 - Breezed past Lisandro Martinez in the first half and looked confident. Appeared to slow down in the second half after a slight knock to his hamstring. Getty -
Willian 4 - Looked to dribble directly at the opposition and tested David De Gea from range, but most significant moment came when he handled Jadon Sancho’s shot on the line before a VAR check saw him sent off and a penalty awarded. AP -
Andreas Pereira 7 - Always tried to make things happen when in possession, and enjoyed success with the most number of key passes of any player. Intelligent with his positioning that saw him find space in dangerous areas. AFP -
Bobby Reid 6 - Kept things simple to help maintain attacking phases for Fulham in Manchester United’s half. Could have done more in terms of plays that were truly threatening to the defence. Reuters -
Aleksandar Mitrovic 3 - Troubled United throughout the game in the box that eventually got the Cottagers into the lead. Sent off for shoving the referee to put Fulham down to nine men – seconds after they had gone down to 10. AFP -
SUBS: Tom Cairney, Daniel James, Cedric Soares, Manor Solomon. N/A. REUTERS
There is also the tantalising prospect of playing Manchester City in the final with Pep Guardiola's side taking on Sheffield United in the other last-four clash.
They have also reached the quarter-finals of the Europa League where they will take on Sevilla over two legs.
And Erik ten Hag's side – currently third in the Premier League table, nine points behind second-placed City with a game in hand – also need to ensure they maintain their top-four place with Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle breathing down their necks.
“One thing is important – don't think too far ahead,” added Sabitzer. “Go from game to game, but I think we had a really massive run from Christmas on, 25 games or so. I think two defeats, [four] draws and a lot of wins.
“We see the progress in the team, but this team has a strong character, strong belief, strong determination to win games. (Sunday) was an example of it. When you have a difficult period in a game, stay in a game and turn the game.
“I think we are in the position we want to be in. We battle for it, we deserve it, but trophies are won in the end of the season and we are in the position to win trophies, but we have to fight for it.
“We need the whole squad because we already played from Christmas on every three or four days and that will continue. That is what we love, it will give us energy when we can compete for trophies.”
