Ole Gunnar Solskjaer believes his current crop of Manchester United players can follow the example of legends Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo by storming to League Cup glory.
United welcome League Two side Colchester in tonight's Carabao Cup quarter-final at Old Trafford, with the Norwegian having named a fairly strong squad.
And although he's expected to make changes from his regular Premier League side, Solskjaer - having already warned his stars against complacency - believes winning the trophy could be key to future success.
Ronaldo and Rooney joined United in 2003 and 2004 respectively but didn't win a league title until 2007.
And Solskjaer, in his match programme notes, said: “I remember how important winning the League Cup was for us back in 2006, when young lads like Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo got their first taste of winning a trophy.
“It got them in the winning habit and that team they were part of went on to do pretty well for themselves after that!
“This current squad is another group with terrific talent learning their trade, so they need to keep developing all the time and moving a step closer is a good way to do that.
"The lads are learning lessons all the time and tonight they have the chance to show they are worthy of a place in the semi-finals of an important competition.
gets under way at 8pm at Old Trafford tonight [Wednesday].
