"Over the weekend it started to become a bit more apparent that we might have a chance.
We came in on Monday and trained, then we got the good news on Tuesday," Ayling said.
"It's only just starting to become real. It was all a bit of a shock at the time.
I was doing bath time with my little man on Tuesday night and then the message came through that we were going to Wembley," Ayling said.
"It's been tough because we're now building up to the biggest game of our lives with probably only three proper training days," Ayling added.
"But we've had a few tougher sessions over the last few days to get our legs going and the boys will be ready," Ayling added.
"I do feel sorry for Hull as well because they were preparing for Southampton, so you do feel for them on that basis.
But at the same time, they've at least been training knowing there's a game on Saturday," Ayling added.
"It's been hard, but we're so grateful for the opportunity. We know it's a massive chance that's been given back to us, and we believe rightly so.
We're really happy and can't wait to get going," Ayling added.
"It's amazing, isn't it?" said an unnamed fan at the airport.
"The journey that they've been on, and the ups and downs, it's just great for the whole region," the fan added.
"The chances we've had, I feel we've had nine lives and I just think this time, is it meant to be?"
said Russell Willis, a Middlesbrough fan.
"We could win, you know. I think this season, it could be our year," Willis said.
"I lost sleep to be honest with you, I just can't wait to get it all over with," another fan added.
"I just hope they can get the result done," the fan added.
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"So to see them have success and end up in the Premier League, I would take a lot of pride in that," said Michael Carrick, Manchester United manager.
