Man United Might Never Get a Better Chance to Win the FA Cup Than This Season

The FA Cup hasn't been very kind to Manchester United recently. They can't complain, though. United haven't been very kind to it, either.

In 2000, they pulled out of the competition to play in the Club World Cup. Most other seasons, the FA Cup has been treated like a poor relative to the Premier League and the Champions League. Sir Alex Ferguson made a habit of resting his key players until a time when he could sense another trophy. 

Since winning the cup for the 11th time in 2004 after a 3-0 win over Millwall at the Millennium Stadium, United have reached two finals and lost twice. In 2005, it was to Arsenal on penalties. In 2007, it was against Chelsea in extra time.

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Last season, David Moyes drew Premier Leaguer rivals Swansea at home in the third round. The defeat was the beginning of the end for the former Everton manager at Old Trafford.

This season, Louis van Gaal has greater ambitions than the FA Cup. The Dutchman will have to finish in the top four and get United back into the Champions League. They might even mount a title challenge. Still, he might never get a better chance to win it.

So far, the draws have been kind. They've already seen off Yeovil Town, bottom of League One with only five goals scored at home all season. They should do the same to League Two's Cambridge United in the fourth round.

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Once into the fifth round, should everything go smoothly, Van Gaal and the players will be within touching distance of Wembley. Only Darren Fletcher and Robin van Persie in the current United squad have an FA Cup winners' medal. Many of the others, Michael Carrick and Wayne Rooney included, need one to complete their set.

Van Gaal will hope that next season offers more reasons to rest players for the FA Cup. The Champions League knock-out rounds, perhaps, or a Premier League title challenge. Maybe even both. 

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But there's no European football this season. They're on track to finish in the top four, but a title challenge is still a long shot. In between is the FA Cup, as Van Gaal put it, the "shortest path to success". 

Managers and clubs are often accused of devaluing the FA Cup. But there is value in winning it for United this season. And, as opposed to many other years, there's no excuse not to at least try. They might never get a better chance.

Quotes obtained first-hand.