Fred issues warning to Man United's title-chasing rivals and backs his side

Manchester United midfielder Fred has offered a warning to the club's rivals that they are targeting a tilt at the Premier League crown this season.

Fred started the game as United defeated Newcastle 2-0 in Sunday's Carabao Cup final at Wembley, with most the squad - including the Brazilian - claiming their first pieces of silverware for the club.

With Erik ten Hag having overseen something of a remarkably swift turnaround in the club's fortunes so far this season, they remain in contention for three more prizes come late spring.

With the manager previously keen to temper title expectations, deflecting questions on such, Fred appeared to welcome talk and pointed to the side's momentum as perhaps holding sway in the final weeks and months of the campaign.

'We know Arsenal and [Manchester] City are great teams, but we have our means to fight for it [the Premier League]. Our momentum is very good, so why not? We have three competitions left and will fight for each one of them,' he told TNT Brazil/ESPN.

'We are extremely happy today, it’s my fifth season here and this title means a lot to me and to the club’s way back to the top,' he added. 'We have a lot to fight for this season yet.'

United currently trail leaders Arsenal by eight points heading into the final third of the Premier League season. They have played both the Gunners and Manchester City twice already.

United's victory was particularly pertinent for the players and supporters owing to the prominent role former manager Sir Alex Ferguson appeared to hold in the post-match celebrations.

The legendary former boss, who retired a decade ago this year, was spotted in the tunnel congratulating the players and also enjoyed some time in the dressing room.

Appearing to echo Rene Meulensteen's sentiments on the similarities between Ferguson and Ten Hag, Fred hailed both men, saying Ferguson was with them in spirit at the training ground.

'Sir Alex [Ferguson] is always with us at the training ground [in spirit], and today wasn’t different here. He’s a fantastic guy, one of the best managers in the history of football and this title is also for him,' the Brazilian added.

'Erik is a great manager. He came to help and all of us embraced his ideas. He’s strict with details like punctuality, eating, sleep.

'On the pitch, tactically, everyone is seeing now what he is capable of. He is one of the people that deserve this trophy the most.'

Ten Hag himself has made it clear to his players that the League Cup triumph is just the start, with United now targeting further success - both this campaign and beyond.

'It shows something, silverware, that you are on a good pathway, a good direction. It's one cup, it's February, but it shows we are on the right path. This has to be the motivation to continue on this pathway. Be happy for 24 hours but not satisfied,' he said.

'You have to celebrate, because it's not business as usual, it's not a common day. We won a trophy and this means something, that's the feeling I get here in the UK. We won something, we have to celebrate that.

'But, after you, have to keep going. The players know we have a big game on Wednesday. First, we have to win the first one [trophy] and that is what we did today. I think we get a lot of inspiration from this and also more confidence that we can do it.

'We are still at the start to restore Manchester United back to where we belong, that is winning trophies. This is the first one.'