Manchester United are about to embark on another FA Cup journey. They start another campaign in the world’s oldest competition on Friday night. The rival will be Derby County, as Manchester United want to claim back the trophy they have won in 2016.
The third round of this famous tournament starts with United’s match against the Championship side. It will be a nice opportunity for Jose Mourinho and his staff to change things around more than usually, especially after an exhausting festive period in the Premier League.
Manchester United Need To Become Addicted To Lifting Trophies
FA Cup should be a good opportunity for Manchester United to try and win another trophy. It will not be an easy task, as there are another 63 teams in the bracket, but United should back themselves to do well.
Several managers have talked about the feeling of winning a trophy. Mourinho was also one of them, saying among other things that you get “addicted” to winning trophies and titles once you experience it.
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It does not matter which trophy it is. What matters is that the players are getting used to that thrill and their desire to win bigger trophies will exponentially grow. Manchester United lost their League Cup quarter final match to Bristol City, losing with it the chance to retain the trophy they won last February. That is why FA Cup could be a good opportunity.
The league is almost over and there is hardly any chance Manchester City will spill 15 points and lose the title they “won” in December. Champions League is something you can never expect to win, no matter the size of the club. With the FA Cup, story is a bit different.
Cup Wins In Previous Seasons
Manchester United had some good seasons in recent years in these cup competitions. In 2016, the Devils won the FA Cup under Louis Van Gaal. It was his final chance to win something in England and United delivered against Crystal Palace. It was the first trophy United won in post-Ferguson era.
A year later, the haul was even improved. In Jose Mourinho’s first season, it was the League Cup that was won first. Southampton lost 3-2 at Wembley, but the biggest one in post-Ferguson era came in May.
It was then that United won Europa League by beating Ajax 2-0. That is how United qualified for the Champions League, but it was also how the players got to lift two trophies in a couple of months. That is how winning mentality is being harnessed.
Derby County Are A Good Start
The rival in FA Cup third round will be Derby County. The Championship side are doing quite well themselves this season. They are in a similar position to Manchester United, as they sit in second place, far behind the leaders.
Derby are 12 points behind Wolves and will definitely try to do their best at Old Trafford. However, they are a decent start for United in this competition. Yes, United already lost to a Championship side in a cup competition, but they will make sure they do not repeat their mistakes.
A 2-0 win against Everton was a pleasing one and United should be backed to do well on Friday night.
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