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Ander Herrera says Man Utd must 'fight for every trophy' this season

Ander Herrera  in action at Old Trafford in December
Image: Ander Herrera in action at Old Trafford

Manchester United midfielder Ander Herrera says the team must "fight for every trophy" this season.

United, who are three points off the top four in the Premier League, are still in this season's Europa League and have a double-header against Hull City in the semi-final of the EFL Cup.

The FA Cup holders begin the defence of that trophy this weekend when they welcome former United defender Jaap Stam's Reading to Old Trafford.

Herrera is wary of underestimating the high-flying Championship side, though, after being involved in a penalty shoot-out defeat to Middlesbrough in the League Cup last season.

Jesse Lingard celebrates his winning goal in the FA Cup final for Manchester United against Crystal Palace
Image: Jesse Lingard celebrates his winning goal in the FA Cup final for Manchester United against Crystal Palace

"I have already played against Championship teams at home," Herrera told MUTV.

"Middlesbrough beat us last season, for example, so we have to respect Reading. It's a big day for them, they come with, to be honest, nothing to lose and that makes them even more dangerous.

"But we are United, we have to fight for every trophy and at home against Reading we have the obligation to try to win, to score goals and to get to the next round.

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"They are a strong team and are high in the table so it will be difficult, but it's a big tournament for us and we want to get to the next round.

Reading boss Jaap Stam playing for Manchester United in 2001
Image: Reading boss Jaap Stam playing for Manchester United in 2001

"Jaap Stam was an important player for this club and now he manages Reading so he will know how to motivate his players, which means they will be dangerous."

Herrera has often spoken about his love for the FA Cup since joining United from Athletic Bilbao in 2014 and he concedes the victory over Crystal Palace at Wembley last May will be a hard memory to top.

Palace took the lead with a Jason Puncheon drive 12 minutes from time, but Juan Mata levelled within three minutes, and despite having Chris Smalling dismissed in extra-time United secured victory with a Jesse Lingard volley.

Manchester United celebrate their FA Cup success last season at Wembley
Image: Manchester United celebrate their FA Cup success last season at Wembley

"It's a fantastic trophy and fantastic tournament," said the 27-year-old. "I will never forget winning it because it was my first trophy with United at Wembley.

"It was a fantastic day for us, we scored in the last five or 10 minutes, Jesse scored a fantastic goal, we had 10 men, it was a special day.

"When you think about the way you want to win then of course you want to win earlier and be more relaxed at the end.

"But the feeling after the game when you score in the last few minutes is fantastic, especially with 10 men against a good side."

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