Scott McTominay believes FA Cup success has become "critical" for Manchester United as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer aims to take the club forward.
The Norwegian is in his second full season as boss at Old Trafford.
He is looking to end United's four-year wait for silverware and can do so via the FA Cup this term.
Solskjaer has previously stated that he will be a success at United and must now prove that he can back up those claims.
The Red Devils travel to Leicester on Sunday in the last eight of the FA Cup.
And McTominay has urged his team-mates to grasp the opportunity citing the competition as a spring board for past success.
He said: “The FA Cup has become critical to this football club this season.
“The League Cup and FA Cup has been the starting point for Manchester United teams over the last 15 to 20 years.
“If Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is going to be successful at this club, he not only needs to finish second in the Premier League, but he has to win a trophy.
“That would be seen as real progress.
“Then you're attracting players next season to try and catch Manchester City.”
At the turn of the year United still had their sights on winning the Premier League and went top after a win at Burnley in mid-January.
A drop off in form has allowed their city rivals to race clear and they are now looking to consolidate second place.
But McTominay admits he is ruing their missed opportunity.
He added: "It's difficult to look at top four at the minute because we had a time when we were looking at the league.
"It was the chance for all of us to have a big push and show really what good players we are.
"But Man City have had a terrific run of games and we're just trying our best to keep on them."
