Moyes eager to halt Manchester United’s 10 years of hurt in FA Cup

Jose Mourinho offers words of praise for Steve McLaren and Derby ahead of third-round clash

Manchester United manager David Moyes runs onto the pitch to protest at referee Howard Webb's decision during a Premier League match against Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday. Lindsey Parnaby / EPA

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND // David Moyes heads into Sunday’s third-round clash against Swansea City desperate to end Manchester United’s 10-year wait for FA Cup glory.

United’s indifferent form in the Premier League and Wednesday’s defeat against Tottenham Hotspur left them 11 points behind leaders Arsenal.

With their hopes of defending the title looking all but over, the FA Cup is an opportunity for Moyes to win his first major silverware as a manager and to ensure he does not end his first season at United without a trophy.

United last won the FA Cup when they defeated second-tier side Millwall 3-0 in the 2003/04 final.

But after a heavy fixture schedule over the holiday period left United with a mounting injury list – with Wayne Rooney among others absent today – Moyes said it is a difficult time for his side to be facing another Premier League club at Old Traffford.

“The cup is important. It’s certainly important to me and always has been,” Moyes said when asked if he would field an understrength team against Swansea.

“I think it’s important to every club. The longer you stay in, the more important it becomes and for most Premier League clubs this is just the start of it. At this moment in time, with a lot of Premier League games having been played, it’s a difficult time.”

Since beating Millwall in Cardiff a decade ago, United have lost FA Cup finals to Arsenal and Chelsea and also suffered a semi-final loss against Manchester City, in 2011.

“I’m sure there is frustration among the players because if you’re at a club like Manchester United you want to be involved in trophy-winning opportunities,” he said.

“To not win an FA Cup for 10 years is something which is a bit of a surprise, but it is something we will try and do. We’re trying to win all the competitions we enter, which most people are trying to do. As far as I’m concerned, we will do everything we can to get through.”

Rooney will miss the game with a groin problem, while Moyes said on Friday that Ashley Young has a shoulder injury after a challenge from Spurs goalkeeper Hugo Lloris.

Dutch forward Robin van Persie is out with a thigh injury and Phil Jones (knee), Nani (hamstring), Marouane Fellaini (wrist) and Rafael (groin) are also sidelined.

Swansea won the League Cup last season, and manager Michael Laudrup revealed they will take inspiration from FA Cup holders Wigan Athletic, who defeated Manchester City in last season’s final.

Swansea’s chances of victory took a significant hit when they were drawn against United at Old Trafford – a ground they have never won at in 10 attempts.

But Laudrup remains confident he can guide them past United and deliver more silverware to south Wales.

“You have to believe,” he said. “Just look what happened with Wigan last year and with us in the League Cup.”

Pablo Hernandez will miss the tie with a hamstring problem. He joins Michu, Michel Vorm and Nathan Dyer on the sidelines.

Elsewhere, Jose Mourinho knows his Chelsea side must be patient against Steve McClaren’s Derby County in the FA Cup third round on Sunday.

The home side have won eight of their previous 10 games to sit in promotion contention in fourth place in England’s second-tier Championship.

Former England coach McClaren is capable of re-establishing Derby in the Premier League, according to Mourinho, who is sending a first-choice team to face Derby.

Mourinho told Chelsea TV: “He knows the football that can take him not just to the Premier League, but also to play with a certain stability if, or when, they reach the Premier League.

“A team that will play the best they can, without any kind of pressure.

“Do we lose? Do we win? Who knows? At least the message is we respect them and we go there with the best possible team. The next game after Derby is Hull at the weekend. We can play against Derby and have a day off on Monday.

“It’s the last game of this crazy 15 days. After that, things come back for normality for a couple of weeks.”

Chelsea begin the FA Cup in third position in the Premier League, two points behind leaders Arsenal, following a good festive run that has left Mourinho satisfied.

He said: “Good results, good performances. Being there. Not top of the league, but very close to it. In a good position. I’m happy.”

Meanwhile, West Ham United’s manager Sam Allardyce says he still believes in the magic of the FA Cup – but his side’s league form means a third-round trip to face Nottingham Forest is not high on his list of priorities.

West Ham travel to the City Ground languishing in 19th place in the table, having collected just two points throughout the whole of December.

“It is a fantastic competition and has great history and tradition, there is no doubt about that,” Allardyce said. “But if you’re in a position where we are and with the injuries we have, there is only one major priority at this football club from all levels ... that priority lies with the Premier League and that won’t ever change for any football club, irrespective of who they are.”