This weekend sees the big boys enter the Fa Cup. Arsenal will be doing all they can to win it for the third time in a row, while Manchester United will incredibly be looking to win the trophy for the first time since 2004. This is truly remarkable for a club of it's size and with it's previously good record in the competition. With the recent statistic that this weekend will see Manchester United be broadcast live for the 48th Fa Cup tie in a row it shows the reputation a club the stature of Manchester United can hold over teams that have actually achieved something in the competition in recent years.
Louis Van Gaal is a man under pressure and with many top coaches available or soon to be available he is under huge pressure to deliver a trophy to the Manchester United fans this season. Manchester United have not won anything since August 2013 when David Moyes led them to the Community Shield trophy after Sir Alex Ferguson led them that previous May to their record 20 League title. It is unheard of in recent times that Manchester United could go so long with out winning a trophy of any kind. If Van Gaal could deliver the Fa Cup after a barren run of 12 years then he might just leave with his head held high should the board decide to replace him come the summer. If he were to stay for the final year of his contract it would provide a huge boost lifting the Fa Cup and it would act as a springboard into next season when perhaps the club can finally challenge for the title again with the players and fans alike knowing Van Gaal can deliver trophies if players and fans are on board with his philosophy and are united.
After a shocking December at Old Trafford, despite all the media and fan pressure Van Gaal has somehow weathered the storm and he is still in the Old Trafford hotseat. An impressive display against Chelsea was followed by a win and three points against Swansea which also saw both strikers, Rooney and Martial hit the back of the net, things are finally looking up at Old Trafford. This weekend sees the visit of Sheffield United in the Fa Cup. Wayne Rooney will be desperate to win the cup this season, As a child dreaming of growing up to be a footballer, winning the Fa Cup was always high on the list of dreams. He has won everything he could want to win at Old Trafford apart from the Fa Cup, and at the age of 30 time is not on his side.
In 1999 after winning the famous treble United decided against strong objection from supporters to pull out of the Fa Cup so they could take part in the World Club Championships in Brazil. With the backing of the English FA, hoping it would help them in their bid to host the 2006 FIFA World Cup. This decision was not taken too lightly but was met by widespread criticism. United have been somewhat jinxed in the competition ever since. Despite beating a spirited Millwall side featuring a young Tim Cahill in 2004, United have lost two finals since and have failed to impress in the competition. They have been unlucky with goals being disallowed, losing when they deserved to win and dodgy referee decisions costing them, they however should be doing better in the competition.
No disrespect but even Portsmouth and Wigan Athletic have lifted the trophy since United last got their hands on it. Stoke City, Cardiff City and Hull City have reached the final in recent years, while currently bottom of the table and heading for the Championship, Aston Villa reached the Wembley final last season. United can have no excuses and should be doing better in the Fa Cup. United are also in real danger of claiming another unwanted record. The club are in danger of matching the recent slump in the Fa Cup with the 14 year barren run in the competition between 1963 and 1977.
Dodgy decisions, playing youth players, resting senior players, bad pitches and many more excuses have been used to describe United's long run without lifting the trophy. In reality United can have no excuse and if Wayne Rooney wants to achieve his goal of lifting the Fa Cup at Wembley, then as captain it is up to him to lead his side to the Wembley showpiece final in May and end both his and United's barren run in the competition.
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