Man Utd, Spurs seek FA Cup success as last chance for silverware

Manchester United head into tomorrow's FA Cup semi-final against Tottenham Hotspur needing to keep their hopes of silverware alive to save their season.

However, Spurs are just as hungry as they aim to end a decade-long wait for a trophy and confirm their consistent improvement under Mauricio Pochettino.

Jose Mourinho's men tightened their grip on the Premier League runners-up spot this week but a title battle with champions Manchester City never materialised and they limped out of the Champions League in the first knockout stage.

To add to the frustrations of the beleaguered boss, speculation over the future of ?89 million ($127 million) midfielder Paul Pogba has dominated headlines in recent weeks.

Often deemed surplus to requirements by Mourinho this season, Pogba showed what he is capable of by scoring twice to help United temporarily delay City's title party in a thrilling 3-2 Manchester derby win a fortnight ago.

He impressed Mourinho once more in Wednesday's 2-0 victory at Bournemouth, but in between times was substituted and heavily criticised for his performance in United's shock defeat against West Brom that gifted the title to City last weekend.

"Top performance. Top performance. Obviously the performance against City was special, coming with two goals," said the United boss of Pogba, who was retained in the side despite seven changes.

"But this performance was a very similar level. So top performance. He can do it." Mourinho won the League Cup and Europa League in his first season at Old Trafford and even delivering just the FA Cup would be a poor return in the eyes of fans who hoped for a Premier League push this season.

But United have a proud tradition in the competition, with 12 wins in their history, just one behind Arsenal.

Spurs are third on the list with eight FA Cup wins, but haven't won the trophy since 1991, or any silverware since the League Cup in 2008.

Tottenham are, though, on the brink of qualifying for the Champions League for the third straight season.

- 'Next level' -
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"Until that, win the FA Cup or the League Cup, it will be fantastic for our fans but is not going to move the club to a different level."