David Moyes endures yet another frustrating evening as Swansea knocked United out of the FA Cup (Picture: Reuters)

Manchester United’s FA Cup exit at the hands of Swansea City means the club are now realistically only competing for two trophies this season.

The Premier League is rapidly turning into a battle to finish in the top four, which leaves David Moyes looking at European Cup and Capital One Cup as his best chance of silverware.

United play the first leg of their semi-final with Sunderland this evening, and Moyes will know that anything other than a comfortable victory over the two games could cripple his reign at Old Trafford.

The Capital One Cup in all its recent guises is a trophy which has not held the most significant importance to United in recent seasons, despite the fact Sir Alex Ferguson’s charges contested two out of the last five finals.




This season, however, we are seeing a different level of importance placed upon the League Cup with it being potentially United’s only realistic chance of silverware left in Moyes’ debut season.

Sunderland have shown a remarkable improvement in terms of performances since Uruguayan Gus Poyet’s took over from Paolo Di Canio, however they have still struggles to get results on a consistent basis.

This is something Moyes should bear in mind ahead of his team selection – with Sunderland having the potential to cause yet another upset to United if the tie is taken lightly by the visitors.

However after such disappointing defeats in 2014 already it is likely Moyes will send out a full strength team this evening.

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Adnan Januzaj will probably return to the Manchester United team tonight (Picture: Getty Images)

Robin van Persie is still missing for United, whilst Wayne Rooney will too sit out tonight’s trip to Wearside which leaves United very low on attacking options.

The recent form of Danny Welbeck has been pleasing, although his link-up play with Javier Hernandez has looked out of sync and rushed in the fixtures against Tottenham and Swansea.

Adnan Januzaj, after being left on the bench for the weekend’s cup tie, will in all likelihood return to the starting line-up this evening as Moyes will want a lead to take back to Old Trafford.

It is imperative for United to make the most out of their opportunity in the Capital One Cup.

Despite their recent improvements Sunderland are still in truth a team there to be beaten, particularly over two legs when you consider the quality within United’s squad in comparison to Sunderland’s.

It is also important as the effect of winning a first trophy can have on a group of players should not be underestimated.

Liverpool have improved slowly but consistently since their League Cup win in 2012, and Manchester City haven’t looked back since their FA Cup win a year earlier.

The same could well happen to Moyes’ Manchester United if they avoid any more mistakes and head to Wembley for the final.

Failure to do so doesn’t bear thinking about.

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