Capital One Cup: Sunderland Vs Manchester United: Our only trophy??

Premier League title good as gone, even for the die hards (although miracle does happen), Champions League looks too tough a task for the currently average Manchester United team and the lost at Old Trafford to Swansea City in the FA Cup leaves United with Capital One Cup as the only trophy that has a fair chance of winning this season – not withstanding that there is a ‘impressive’ Manchester City standing in the way…With the difficulties in transition from Sir Alex Ferguson’s unparallel successful era, many sensible Manchester United’s fans agree that any silverware would be most welcome – even though the much-mocked ‘mickey mouse cup’ a.k.a. Capital One Cup, a.k.a. formerly League Cup – is the one trophy in question. But it will be a two-legged semifinal against a team also wanting good results – follow by a possible showdown with the blue half of Manchester, who is scoring goals for fun (and winning games along the way). Does this United team has enough courage to bring back this trophy?

Difficulties have been expected when David Moyes took over from the ‘irreplaceable’ Sir Alex Ferguson but even the most diehard supporters find it hard to stomach Manchester United’s form – especially when playing at Old Trafford. Just when supporters thought United’s stutter in the league are somehow compensated by their good run in cup competitions, the loss to Swansea in the FA Cup comes as one of the hardest blow. Could it be that Moyes smell the Capital One Cup games against Sunderland as the more important one, or could it be that the current United team is just way below average in confidence? Either way the task is down to Moyes to take the best of the current United team – considered average by many (and yet won the Premier League almost at ease last season).

David Moyes may not want to be reminded of the now popular statement ‘Sir Alex Ferguson alone is worth 10 to 20 points per season to Manchester United’. He may well get down to bring his team to produce the results against Sunderland, at any costs. A good result in the first leg of the semifinal could do much to a team ravage not only by injuries but also confidence. Against Sunderland, certain section of United’s fans may also take comfort that United has produced better results away from home!