Nuno: We want to make history

Nuno Espirito Santo knows his team have a long way to go until they reach the ‘glorious moments’ Wolves experienced in the 1950s, 60s and 70s as his side prepare to face Manchester United in the Emirates FA Cup quarter-final this weekend.

The head coach is calling on his side to take it step-by-step and not look past Saturday evening’s game as they have the opportunity to play an FA Cup match at Wembley for the first time since the victorious 1960 campaign.

Set to step out in front of a sold-out crowd under the Molineux lights, Nuno is expecting an ‘amazing’ atmosphere awaits his players tomorrow.

On Molineux’s home advantage

“The supporters will be very, very important. Massive. What Molineux is giving us is amazing and we just want to give back for all this support and the amazing atmosphere that I expect tomorrow.

“We can feel in the city what’s going on. Everybody is expecting a big game, some of them say that it’s one of the most important game in years. We feel that.

“But at the same time, we feel their support, their joy, as we compete against theses fantastic teams and big teams. It can only make us proud.

“I’m aware of the club’s history and we want to make it happen again. But we have to go step-by-step. There’s a long way to go for us to achieve those glorious moments in the 50s and the 60s – it’s much harder now.

“I enjoy the big game atmosphere, everybody does. Big games are the best ones. The players are ready, and I hope it’s going to be an enjoyable game.

“Together, let’s try to do it.”

On team selection

“Everybody’s working very well, so we have to make the right decisions, to try to get the right decision, but all the squad is working very well.”

On emotions of managers and players

“Before the game begins we have feelings, when the game is on we have another one. It’s different.

“I think the job of the manager is to try to be focused and help the team, make the right decisions, try to give the right info at the right moments, those details that can make the difference.

“Not only me, but the players need to be focused. What happens outside the pitch cannot affect us. We have to manage our emotions, so we can have good actions during the game.

“It’s easier if you are focused and just worry about your actions and your tasks. What happens outside cannot change your behaviours.”

On Man United and Solskjaer

“They’re a very good team, in a good moment. Ole has done fantastic. The performances and results, especially the big moments that they’ve had, shows Ole has done a fantastic job.

“They have made some changes, but the quality is there, the talent is there, they have many good players, a fantastic job from Ole – so we expect a very tough game.

“We always talk about the threats of our opponents, we have to give the info to the players for them to be better when they compete. Nothing changes, it’s always the same approach. Try to look at all the details that can change the game.

“I don’t think [United’s loss to Arsenal] will make any difference. We know that it’s a different competition, it’s the quarter-finals of a big, big competition; the FA Cup – the oldest competition in the history of football.

“What happened before doesn’t change anything. They are a very good team and it will be a tough game for us.

On possibility of reaching Wembley

“First, we have to play tomorrow. That’s only what we’re thinking about. We’ve prepared well in the week and we have to play the game, compete the best way we can, against a very good team.”

#WOLMUN