Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says FA Cup progress important part of Manchester United's development

United defeated Norwich thanks to a Harry Maguire winner in extra time

Manchester United's Harry Maguire, left, celebrates scoring the winner in their extra-time victory against Norwich City in the FA Cup quarter-final clash at Carrow Road on Sunday, June 27. Reuters

United's Harry Maguire scrambles home the winner. Reuters

United's Odion Ighalo is congratulated by Juan Mata after scoring. AFP

Norwich goalkeeper Tim Krul makes a save under pressure from United's Odion Ighalo. EPA

Norwich City's Todd Cantwell, left, celebrates after after levelling the scores. AFP

Manchester United substitute Paul Pogba chips the ball back into the box. AP

Norwich City's Timm Klose is shown a red card by referee Jon Moss. Reuters

United's Odion Ighalo under pressure from Ben Godfrey of Norwich. Reuters

United midfielder Juan Mata in possession. AFP

Manchester United striker Odion Ighalo celebrates after scoring. AFP

United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, back row centre, sat in the stands. Reuters

United striker Odion Ighalo celebrates his goal. AFP

United's Fred battles for possession with Emiliano Buendia of Norwich. Reuters

Norwich manager Daniel Farke. Reuters

Tim Krul of Norwich City makes a save with United's Odion Ighalo in close attention. Getty

Norwich's Ben Godfrey. EPA

United's Odion Ighalo after picking up a knock. Reuterts

Manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said Manchester United have taken an important step in their development by reaching the FA Cup semi-finals.

United, 12-time winners of the trophy, saw off Norwich 2-1 thanks to a Harry Maguire winner deep into extra time at Carrow Road, to claim a place in the last four on Saturday night.

Solskjaer's team are now unbeaten in 14 matches in all competitions, a considerable improvement on their inconsistent first half of the season.

"Of course it is important to get to the final. Last year we got to the quarters in the FA Cup and lost to Wolverhampton. Now at least we are in the semis, we are at Wembley," Solskjaer was quoted as saying by the Press Association.

"I spoke before the game for this team to win their first trophy together, or get to their first final together, is going to be important.

"That will help the winning culture because we need to start winning things and we're now in the semis, so we're delighted with that."

United were forced to dig deep by the Premier League's bottom side. After a goalless first half, Odion Ighalo flicked United in front with a close-range volley but Todd Cantwell levelled with a fine long-range strike.

United regained the initiative after the Canaries had Timm Klose sent off in the 89th minute for pulling back Ighalo. They dominated extra time and Tim Krul made a number of good saves before captain Maguire scrambled the decisive goal in the 118th minute.

Solskjaer added: "It took us too long to get into the rhythm, trusting ourselves playing the passes through the lines, running in behind. We took too many touches and the ball moved a little bit slow.

"But we had possession and just kept prodding and prodding and in the end we got the goals we needed.

"They are opposition that want to make it difficult for you and they did. They were really organised but they tired towards the end and we got the win I thought we deserved."