Rangnick's FA Cup plan as Man Utd try to avoid worst trophy drought for 40 years

Ralf Rangnick knows the importance of the FA Cup - as Manchester United try to avoid their worst trophy drought for 40 years.

The last trophy United lifted was the Europa League, won back in 2017 under former boss Jose Mourinho, since when they have failed to win anything.

With United already out of the Carabao Cup, the Premier League title out of reach and the Champions League unlikely, the FA Cup remains their last realistic hope of silverware.

If United - who host Aston Villa tonight in the third round - fail to win the FA Cup, their wait for a trophy is set to stretch to six years - their longest run for four decades.

After triumphing in the FA Cup in 1977, United had to wait until 1983 for their next trophy, when they beat Brighton 4-0 in a replay to win it again.

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Rangnick is determined to avoid a repeat of that drought, by leading United to FA Cup glory this season, admitting he has always held the competition in high regard.

"I've always been a big fan, supporter and admirer of the FA Cup," said Rangnick. "I remember back in 1980, when I spent my year abroad in Brighton, I watched the FA Cup final at Wembley, between West Ham and Arsenal.

"I've always been a big admirer of the atmosphere and, for me, it's a very important competition. We will definitely try to play with our best possible team in this game and a strong team.

"We take the game as seriously as we can and hopefully get one round further ahead but in order to do that we have to be successful against Aston Villa. We know it will not be an easy game because, especially since they changed managers, they have been doing well.

"They won four games and lost four games, three of them against the top teams. So it needs a top performance from us to be successful."

Rangnick and United have been boosted by striker Edinson Cavani's decision to stay until the end of the season, when his contract expires.

Cavani was concerned about his lack of game-time, with Barcelona monitoring his situation, but the Uruguayan has told Rangnick he intends to see out his contract.

"I didn't tell Edi that he cannot leave," said Rangnick. "I told him that, if it was up to me, I would want him to stay. I had a conversation with him, he came into my office and we spoke for almost half-an-hour.

"He told me he will definitely stay and would want to stay until the end of the season. Not only because I told him that he should stay or has to stay, he did it on his own behalf and he told me I can rely on him to stay until the end of the season and give his very best.

"Even if he's not playing, he will be trying to be the best possible role model for the other players. For me this is good news, because Edi is one of those players with his vast amount of experience, with his mentality, his work ethic, he can be a perfect role model."