THE CUP IS HALF EMPTY...

THE days when winning the FA Cup was enough to keep you in a job at Manchester United are long gone. Ask Louis van Gaal.

He was sacked just 24 hours after United came from behind to beat Crystal Palace in the final in 2016 because he had failed to secure qualification for the Champions League.

His team were fifth, equalling fourth-placed Manchester City’s points tally, but with inferior goal difference.

And so, the Dutchman was replaced by Jose Mourinho... while Pep Guardiola was able to take over a City team that would be playing in Europe’s top club competition.

Erik ten Hag (above) might want to take note.

It’s well documented that winning the FA Cup saved Sir Alex Ferguson from the sack in 1990. But times have changed.

United went on to enjoy 20 years of great success under Sir Alex – and that means their expectations now go well beyond a trip to Wembley.

It is a bit early to be talking about ‘a defining match’ – but United’s trip to Aston Villa is a massive game for both clubs.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe hasn’t just spent £1.3billion, to secure a 25 percent stake in the club he supports, to watch United in the Europa League on Thursday nights.

Villa have been brilliant this season. And I am surprised Unai Emery is not being mentioned as a potential successor to Jurgen Klopp.

But his side were beaten 3-1 by Newcastle in their last Premier League home game, and then suffered an FA Cup exit in front of their own fans at the hands of Chelsea, by the same scoreline.

They were poor in both games. Emery suddenly has issues to address. But his team won’t lack motivation – a win today sees them back on track for the top four, and damages a key rival.