‘He’s Mitro… he doesn’t need that kind of incentive’: Fulham boss Marco Silva insists Aleksandar Mitrovic has no further motivation for Old Trafford return after he was expelled and banned the last time he played there
- Aleksandar Mitrovic received a red card in his last game at Old Trafford
- He was sacked for catching referee Chris Kavanagh in the FA Cup tie
- Striker later received an eight-game ban for his post-match actions
Fulham boss Marco Silva insists Aleksandar Mitrovic has nothing to prove when he returns to Old Trafford after an FA Cup meltdown in March.
Mitrovic was handed an eight-game ban after catching referee Chris Kavanagh in Fulham’s FA Cup quarter-final loss to Manchester United.
The Serbian striker has scored three goals in two games since returning from suspension – taking his tally for the season in all competitions to 15 – and ends his best top-flight campaign on Sunday at Old Trafford.
When asked if Mitrovic would be particularly excited against United, Silva replied: “No, not at all.” Mitro does not need this type of incentive.
“I think he showed in 25 minutes against Southampton that it doesn’t matter which club he plays against (and) last week against Palace.
Aleksandar Mitrovic was sent off in Fulham’s FA Cup quarter-final loss to Man United
“He’s Mitro, he doesn’t need to play against certain types of teams or in certain situations to be more motivated.”
Fulham will end the campaign 10th no matter what happens to United – their first finish in the Premier League’s first half since ninth in 2012 – but the Cottagers have a powerful incentive to end the season with a bang.
Victory will set a new Premier League points record for the club, a draw will equal the 53 points achieved in 2008-09 under Roy Hodgson.
Silva said: “It’s been a brilliant season for us, there’s no doubt about it. For everything, not just because of the position that we should be proud of.
“The position we are going to finish, the way we get there. The way we continue to improve the individual and the collective of our team. It was really good.
“We knew before the start of this season that it would be crucial for this club to stay in the Premier League.
“Credit to the players because of the good mindset, they are always ready to learn and work.”
“They also bought our ideas and our philosophy on how we are going to play football.”
Mitrovic was given an eight-game ban after catching referee Chris Kavanagh
United secured a place in the top four and Champions League football next season by beating Chelsea 4-1 on Thursday.
Erik ten Hag’s side will expect a buoyant start to Old Trafford on Sunday ahead of next weekend’s FA Cup final date with neighbors Manchester City.
“They’ve already played a final (Carabao Cup) and they’re going to play another,” said Silva, whose side suffered late league and cup defeats to United this season.
“For a club like Man United, it’s really important that they fight for a few titles. They’ve changed some things (this season), they’ve signed some good players – two or three who have also had a huge impact on their crew.
“I think they have shown this season that they are a huge club.
“The individual quality they have, in my opinion, is clearly in the best teams in this league.
“They have players in the attacking line and the middle line who can decide the game in a second if you turn off.”
