Ole Gunnar Solskjaer believes The FA Cup offers his Cardiff City side a chance to live their dreams this season, as well as help them in their fight against relegation.
The Welsh club are currently scrapping for survival in the Premier League, but have a welcome distraction on Saturday when they host FA Cup holders Wigan Athletic in the Fifth Round Proper.
And the Norwegian reckons Championship outfit Wigan are a perfect example of what The Cup can bring to a club, after seeing them upset the odds to beat Manchester City in last season’s Final.
Cardiff City v Wigan Athletic
The FA Cup with Budweiser
Fifth Round Proper
3pm, Saturday 15 February
Cardiff City Stadium
Winners receive £180,000
"They've [Wigan] proven last season what The FA Cup is all about - it's a chance for clubs like Wigan and Cardiff to win a trophy,” said the former Manchester United striker, who won The Cup twice in his time at Old Trafford.
"The League now, with the financial situations of the top clubs, is split into two so it's going to be one of five or six who wins it.
"But the FA Cup? To have a victory or just a day out at Wembley, it's up to anyone and we're in what that chance.
"It's the first time in three years that we've had a home game in The FA Cup and we're playing The Cup holders, so that’s great for us.”
Watch highlights of Cardiff's win at Bolton in the Fourth Round
Solskjaer made a number of new additions to the Cardiff squad in January following his arrival from Molde to replace former boss Malky Mackay.
And the Cup run has allowed him to further integrate those players into the squad and work on their match fitness for their league games inbetween.
"It's a chance to build momentum and for some of the guys here to play more games and get match fit,” he added.
“Wilf [Zaha] and Fabio haven’t been playing games, the guys we brought in from Norway were in their winter break so weren’t quite ready – these games give us a chance to work on that.”
