LVG eyes the FA Cup

Manchester United manager Louis Van Gaal is reportedly making the FA cup a top priority this season, in a bid to win his first piece of silverware for the red devils. After recent disastrous Premier League form, a run in the cup could be just the tonic to help cure fans attitudes toward the Dutchman.

Glum Gaal: LVG certainly faces an uphill task to change fans opinions

Following a dismal 8 game winless streak, a 2-1 win over apparent 'ghost team' Swansea City, aided Van Gaal's cause slightly, however at a club like Manchester United, this single victory won't keep critics away for long, the club are dying for a trophy laden season.

In terms of the league position, United currently lie 5th, 6 points away from leaders Arsenal, which many would argue isn't too bad a place to be, considering there's still 18 games to play. However the form of the higher teams is something which should worry Van Gaal. League leaders Arsenal might prove a hard team to catch, having lost only once in their last six games. Therefore it would seem that United have a better chance of winning the FA Cup than the league itself, prompting LVG to possibly field his 'big guns' against Sheffield tomorrow night.

 Unfortunately for United fans however, Van Gaal spoke earlier today in his press conference of certain players who were in the 'Red Zone' for United. "Phil Jones is injured and a lot of players are in the red zone" The United manager told the media today. "Young was back in training this week, he is overloaded and in the red zone"

It would appear that certain United players are becoming Fatigued with the excessive playing time they've been given. Ashley Young is likely to be a big miss should he not take part tomorrow as he was certainly one of the brighter sparks in their win over Swansea City.

Welbeck Woes: The Mancunian knocked his former side out last season

In his debut season, it looked like the former Barcelona man Van Gaal could've gone onto win the trophy at his first attempt, had it not been for a fortuitous poor back pass from Antonio Valencia to gift Danny Welbeck the chance to knock out his boyhood team. United looked to be joint favourites last year with Arsenal when the two clashed at the Quarter final stage. 

A Wayne Rooney header had drawn United level in the first half and the match would prove to be extremely closely fought. Fate was not on the side of the Red Devils that night however, as Danny Welbeck scored a very opportunistic tap in after rounding De Gea, courtesy of poor play from Antonio Valencia. Arsenal would go onto win the trophy for a second consecutive season and leave United to continue their long 12 years, since they won it last. 

Will their fortunes change this season? Louis Van Gaal, for his jobs sake, will certainly hope so.

Want more of an FA cup Fix? We've got some great facts for you below:

1) The reds highest scoring FA Cup third round tie came in 1948 after they beat Aston Villa 6-4 at Villa park

2) After winning the treble in '99, United did not enter the FA cup in 2000 due to their participation in the  club world cup. It was a political decision, based around helping Englands bid for the 2006 World cup

3) Uniteds highest third round win on record was a 7-1 thrashing of Brentford at Old Trafford in 1928

4) The last time United won the FA Cup, old boys Cristiano Ronaldo and Ruud Van Nistlerooy were on the scoresheet

5) Manchester United held the record for most FA cup wins, up until Arsenals consecutive victories, pushing them to 12, to take the record from the reds.