Fulham boss Marco Silva is hoping to guide the Cottagers to what would be a historic FA Cup triumph in 2025.
The West London club face Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday, with a chance to progress through to the quarter-finals at stake.
History would suggest that Fulham are the underdogs against the Red Devils, but it has been roles reversed this season, with United languishing in the bottom half of the table, while Silva’s side push for a Champions League spot.
And while it will be difficult for them to sneak into the top four, considering how competitive the top half is in 2024-25, there is always the chance of winning silverware instead.
Silva has made it very clear Fulham are taking the FA Cup with complete serioussness, and that for now their focus is on making it through to the next round.
Speaking ahead of the trip to Manchester, he said: “We really like this competition. We want to be really serious in it. Our players have always been serious in their approach because we respect and love this competition.
“Our ambition in this competition is really big and we want to compete to be in the next round. It is good when I feel like this ambition and passion goes through all of the squad.”
The ninja footballer. 🥷
Alex Iwobi is a secret five-a-side player! 👀
🎧 https://t.co/0b7Do7KU7T pic.twitter.com/L3tqbhmsSY
— Fulham Football Club (@FulhamFC) February 27, 2025
Silva will be relying on his key players at Old Trafford, including Alex Iwobi, who has been a revelation at Craven Cottage since joining from Everton.
And the Portuguese boss admitted it irked him hearing that the Nigeria international plays five-a-side football with his friends during the week.
He added: “He knows that he shouldn’t but Alex being Alex is being as honest as possible during a podcast. I would prefer him to enjoy his friends in a different way rather than small games with his friends.
“There are many things to do in a different way but he’s a lovely guy. He’s a football player that lives his own life in a slightly different way, but sometimes I want him to keep his focus where he should and to protect him as well as I can because in the end the most important thing for him is his job for Fulham Football Club.”
If Fulham are to beat United in their own stadium, Silva will need Iwobi to make it through the rest of the week without picking up any injuries, with his full focus being on the domestic cup competition.