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• Philadelphia Union v New York City FC: Cushing salutes togetherness of in-form NYCFC

  Nick Cushing hailed the togetherness demonstrated by New York City FC as they look to continue their impressive form against a struggling Philadelphia Union.

  The Boys in Blue endured a poor start to the MLS season – losing four of their opening five matches – but have tasted defeat just once in their last seven.

  Last weekend's 3-2 victory over Toronto FC was New York's fourth in five matches, and Cushing saluted the character shown by his squad in recent times.

  "We're training incredibly well," he said. "Our intensity and our culture is excellent at the moment.

  "I'm so proud of the team because if you look at the way the bench celebrated the third goal [against Toronto], these are guys there that really want to get on the field.

  "The way they celebrate for their team-mates and for the team shows me that [togetherness]."

  Despite their impressive form, though, NYCFC face a potential banana skin in Philadelphia, who have prevailed in each of the last five meetings between the Eastern Conference sides.

  "They are a really hard team to get results against, especially there [at home]," Cushing added. "There's an opportunity there for us, but we have to prepare well."

  The Union are without a win in five matches – losing three – and have been beaten in each of their last three on home soil.

  Jim Curtin's side had started the season with a seven-game unbeaten run, and the head coach has urged his players to draw inspiration from that as they bid to turn their fortunes around.

  "I'm a big believer that you can make your own luck," he said. 

  "We've shot ourselves in the foot quite a bit in recent games, played from behind quite a bit, had to chase games and put a lot into them, and we get punished.

  "We have to stick together as a group and find a way to tighten things up. We're on a really bad stretch here, but we know we're capable of going on unbeaten streaks already like we've had this year.

  "We have to turn it around, and we can't feel sorry for ourselves."

  PLAYERS TO WATCH

  Philadelphia Union – Daniel Gazdag

  Despite Union's recent struggles, Gazdag has been in fine form – scoring in three straight home games, though they have all ended in defeat.

  The Hungary international is the first player to score in three successive home matches but appear on the losing side each time since Colorado Rapids' Kei Kamara in 2019.

  New York City FC – Hannes Wolf

  Wolf set up two of NYCFC's three goals in their victory over Toronto FC last time out.

  The midfielder became the first Austrian to claim at least two assists in an MLS game after Daniel Royer (2020), Andreas Ivanschitz (2016) and Andreas Herzog (2004).

  MATCH PREDICTION: NEW YORK CITY FC

  New York have won four of their last five matches, scoring multiple goals in each of their victories.

  They had only scored two or more goals once in their opening seven games of this season.

  Meanwhile, Philadelphia are currently on the longest losing home streak in their history, having lost each of their last three at Subaru Park.

  OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

  Philadelphia Union: 49.7%
  New York City FC: 22.8%
  Draw: 27.5%

• Vilahamn wants to use FA Cup final defeat as 'beginning' for Tottenham Women

  Tottenham Women manager Robert Vilahamn believes his side will use their FA Cup final defeat to start something special, rather than ending their good work.

  Spurs were hammered 4-0 by Manchester United Women in Sunday's Wembley Stadium showpiece as Ella Toone and Rachel Williams were on target before Lucia Garcia's second-half double.

  Vilahamn's side failed to manage a shot on target but the Spurs boss suggested his team will catch up to the women's elite clubs.

  "The main thing I said was this is not the end, it is the beginning," Vilahamn said.

  "We still have a gap between us and the top teams but that's normal. We are closing the gap but we haven't closed the gap yet."

  Tottenham finished sixth in the Women's Super League as well as reaching this final, their first FA Cup showpiece appearance in their short history.

  Vilahamn wants his Spurs players to use this defeat as motivation going forward.

  "If you take away the feelings right now, you need to look at these players doing some incredible things this year," he said.

  "We are at Wembley playing in front of our fans and they are actually enjoying it and staying, and supporting us after.

  "We got a good experience today and we are learning how to play at Wembley more times. We need to look at it that way because the players are amazing."

• Erik ten Hag: Man United fans are understanding of situation

  Erik ten Hag is confident he still has the understanding of supporters after Manchester United's poor run of form continued with defeat to Arsenal.

  United were beaten 1-0 by Premier League title chasers Arsenal at Old Trafford on Sunday in a game that saw them create little.

  While United did well to restrict Arsenal's chances, they had just two shots on target themselves - long-rangers from Casemiro and Antony.

  The Red Devils have had to contend with a number of injury problems this season, not least against Arsenal with a makeshift defence fielded.

  And for that reason, Ten Hag - whose job beyond this season has been called into question - believes the fanbase remain supportive.

  "They understand where we are and where this club is," he told Sky Sports. "We have so many injuries in key areas.

  "The fans don't get what they deserve, but they understand this and that is why they are behind the team.

  "I think that is why they are with us we are united. Hopefully we can pay them back in the future."

  Ten Hag pointed out that United were without seven possible starters, forcing him to field veteran Jonny Evans alongside Casemiro at centre-back.

  Casemiro was at fault for Arsenal's goal as he was slow getting back up the field, meaning Havertz was onside before teeing up Trossard.

  Ten Hag, though, was not willing to point the finger of blame at the underperforming midfielder.

  "In that situation he is a midfielder playing in that position and making a small mistake, but it has hard consequences," he said.

  "Before that, in possession we could have done better in others positions. It's details."

  Eighth-placed United have won just one of their past eight league matches in a run that includes a 4-0 thumping at Crystal Palace earlier in the week.

  The Red Devils have lost 19 games in all competitions this season, which is their most since 1977-78 when also losing 19.

  Asked if he believes he is the man to turn things around, Ten Hag said: "I have no doubt about this.

  "Mostly, this team has the right spirit and they execute the rules and principles of the game even if they have to adapt in their positions.

  "I can only be happy and it is a big compliment for this team that they executed all that they could and they were fighting."