Van Gaal to take FA Cup seriously in bid to end 12 year itch

United manager Louis van Gaal has hinted that he'll pick strong teams in this season's FA Cup in a bid to help the club win the competition for the first time in more than a decade.

The Reds start this season's campaign against Nigel Adkins' League One Sheffield United at Old Trafford on Saturday.

We've not won the trophy since victory over Millwall in the 2004 final- a barren run that has seen current holders Arsenal replace United as the competition's most successful side with a record 12 wins. 

Wayne Rooney and Michael Carrick have won almost every club medal available but still need the Cup to complete their collection.

Van Gaal has promised to take it seriously when it comes to selecting his side, starting with this Saturday's tea time third round tie against the 'other United' from across the Pennines.

He said:

"We begin the cup with a meeting against Sheffield United, a difficult cup opponent at Old Trafford and I always say as a manager that all you can hope for is a home tie in cup draws.
"I am fully aware of the history and tradition of the FA Cup and that is is a competition Manchester United has not won since 2004.
"It is hard to believe that we have many players who have won many honours in the game but not an FA Cup winners medal.
"We look forward to the challenge, starting next week, and hope for a long run and to make a real impression."

United overcame League One opposition last term too, when we knocked out Yeovil and Preston before eventual winners Arsenal sent us packing in a controversial quarter-final tie at Old Trafford.

Van Gaal achieved his first remit of a top four finish last season, but surely must win silverware this time around with the FA Cup the most realistic chance of doing just that.

The competition has not been top of United's priorities in recent years, but it should be this time as we look to break the 12-year duck and bring the famous trophy back to Old Trafford.