Erik ten Hag is unfazed by crunch clashes early in his Manchester United career, with the Dutchman insistent success must be measured by silverware.
United face Barcelona in the second leg of their Europa League knockout round play-off clash on Thursday, just three days before the EFL Cup final against Newcastle.
Having failed to win a trophy since 2017, Ten Hag has his side fighting on four fronts for success this season.
The ex-Ajax boss welcomes such major matches inside the first year of his tenure at Old Trafford.
"We all want to play big games, big matches," he said. "When we are young, we dream of it. We are now in a position through February [to have] big games coming up.
"We really enjoy it. We are really looking forward to it. We're really excited, and we have to give our best, because we want to match with the best."
Having played out a thrilling 2-2 draw against Barcelona at Camp Nou last week, United's success saw them come close to inflicting only a second home loss of the season upon the Blaugrana.
Asked if he feels his side are getting their dues for their turnaround, however, Ten Hag remained adamant that an improvement in results cannot be the end goal for him at the club.
"It is not about credit, it is about trophies," he added. "We have to keep in the same mindset, every day we want to give a better version of ourselves.
"Tomorrow we have to give the best performance of the season, [and] we [have to] believe in it."
United are set to welcome back Harry Maguire and Antony for the clash, though Anthony Martial is unavailable for the hosts ahead of their trip to Wembley this weekend too.
Barcelona are set to be without several key faces in Pedri and Gavi too, but Ten Hag is not underestimating the visitors despite their absences.
"I don't know what [Barca coach] Xavi is thinking," he said. "Their squad has so much depth that they have players who can replace them.
"Tomorrow, it will be a very good team. If we want to win, we have to be at our best."
Liam Rosenior departs Hull City after 18 months in charge
Hull City have parted company with head coach Liam Rosenior with immediate effect.
Rosenior departs the MKM Stadium after 18 months in charge of the Tigers, who narrowly missed out on the Championship playoffs this season.
Hull were one point above the relegation zone when the former Derby County assistant succeeded Shota Arveladze in November 2022, but he guided them to safety in 15th place.
Rosenior signed a new three-year deal in December and oversaw just one defeat in Hull’s last seven games of this season, in which they finished seventh and just three points behind sixth-place Norwich City.
"This has been the most difficult decision I have had to make as chairman of this wonderful football club," said chairman and owner Acun Ilicali.
"Since Liam’s arrival, we have enjoyed an open working relationship and progress has undoubtedly been made over the course of his tenure. He will always be a part of this family and I thank him for all his work.
"However, it has become evident that our visions for the future are not aligned, and I feel that now is the time to make a change. I know what this football club can achieve, and we will not stop in the pursuit of that.
"We have worked hard over the last two years to develop our squad. We now have many highly talented players at our disposal, and we will continue to invest and improve our playing personnel to give this club and its fans the success they deserve."
'Courtois needs time' - Ancelotti hints Madrid keeper could miss Bayern clash despite return from injury
Carlo Ancelotti believes Real Madrid's Champions League semi-final second leg against Bayern Munich may come too soon for Thibaut Courtois following his recent return from injury.
The Belgium goalkeeper has missed the entire season due to a knee ligament injury, and required a further operation following a setback in March.
Courtois, who has been ruled out of Euro 2024 by Red Devils head coach Domenico Tedesco, made his first appearance of the campaign against Cadiz on Saturday, with the 31-year-old keeping a clean sheet in Madrid's 3-0 victory.
While he has been named in Madrid's matchday squad for the visit of Bayern, with whom they are locked at 2-2 in their gripping last-four tie, Ancelotti hinted he is likely to restore Andriy Lunin between the sticks.
"After such a big injury, you can’t change the plan because of a great performance," the Italian said during his pre-match press conference.
"Courtois needs time now to get to his best. He had a great game, with security and confidence, against Cadiz, but he has to get to his best."
Ancelotti also played down speculation of a rift between Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane, after the England team-mates appeared to exchange words as the Bayern striker prepared to take a penalty during last week's first leg.
"Jude is a fantastic guy, he respects everybody, and he has a great relationship with Harry Kane," the Madrid head coach added. "There are no problems."
Thiago Silva to rejoin Fluminense when Chelsea contract expires
Thiago Silva will return to his boyhood club Fluminense when he leaves Chelsea at the end of the season, the Blues have announced.
Silva joined Chelsea from Paris Saint-Germain in 2020 and has made 152 appearances for the club, helping them win the Champions League, Club World Cup and Super Cup.
The 39-year-old confirmed last month that he would leave upon the expiration of his contract in June, pledging to return "in another role" when his playing days are over.
However, that will not be for some time as the centre-back has agreed a two-year contract with Fluminense, who he first joined as a 14-year-old in 1998.
Initially finding opportunities hard to come by with the Rio de Janeiro giants, he had spells with Pedrabranca, Juventude and Dynamo Moscow before returning to Fluminense – initially on loan – in 2006.
He made his name with the club before joining Milan in a €10million deal in 2009, with that move kickstarting the defender's glittering career in European football.
Silva announced he was returning to Brazil on Instagram, posting an image of himself in a Fluminense shirt alongside the caption: "I'm coming home".
Chelsea said Silva will be allowed to train with Fluminense as soon as the Premier League season is over, before becoming eligible to represent the Brazilian side on July 1.
It was feared Silva may already have played his final game for Chelsea when he suffered a groin injury during their 2-2 draw with Aston Villa last month, but he was named in the starting lineup as they thrashed West Ham 5-0 at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.
Silva has started 26 Premier League games for Chelsea this campaign, with the Blues conceding an average of 1.6 goals per game with him in their lineup, compared to two goals per match without him.
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