As Manchester United prepare to launch their assault on both domestic cups, David Moyes admits he desperately needs to win a trophy.
Sir Alex Ferguson said that a season at Manchester United was not a success unless it contained silver-ware. Realistically, 11 points adrift of the leaders Arsenal, the Premier League will not be retained.
This afternoon United begin their quest for a 12th FA Cup at home to Swansea while on Tuesday they face Sunderland in the first leg of the League Cup semi-final.
“My record in the FA Cup is not too bad,” said Moyes.
“But it’s not enough. I need a trophy. With Everton, I lost to Chelsea in the final and Liverpool in the semis. I would like that record to be better.’’
In the last half century, United have only twice been knocked out of the FA Cup in the third round at home – Tottenham in 1980 and Leeds in 2010. Swansea will be encouraged by the absence of Robin van Persie and Wayne Rooney.
The Dutchman is a long-term absentee but Rooney, suffering from a strained abductor muscle, may be back for Tuesday’s semi-final against Sunderland at the Stadium of Light.
Meanwhile, Derby head coach Steve McClaren is looking forward to seeing how his Premier League pretenders cope against one of the best teams in the country. McClaren, whose side host Chelsea today, has transformed the Rams from a mid-table Championship club to promotion hopefuls since replacing Nigel Clough at the start of October.
Derby have climbed from 14th to fourth place in the standings under the former England manager, who has lost just two of his 15 games in charge. McClaren said: “These are the sorts of game we want to be involved in every week and that’s what we are working towards.
But there’s still a long way to go for us yet. This game gives us a taster.”
Elsewhere, Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers insists his son Anton will get no preferential treatment when the two come face to face at Anfield.
The Reds face Oldham with Anton, who signed with the Latics in the summer, in line to play after featuring 13 times for the League One side so far this term. Rodgers said: “With the footballing gods, he could end up getting a goal. But not only that, I have to get the team to keep an eye on him because he’s a good player.
“He’s got quality, he has a great view of the game and he’s a real footballer. So I can’t skip over it because it’s Anton. This is business.”
Elsewhere, Premier League strugglers West Ham visit Nottingham Forest with manager Sam Allardyce poised to blood a number of young players.
