I need to win a trophy soon, says Manchester United manager David Moyes

Moyes admitted to trying to sign the veteran Roma midfielder, Daniele de Rossi over the summer

As Manchester United prepare to launch their assault on both domestic cups, David Moyes admits he desperately needs to win a trophy.

Sir Alex Ferguson said that a season at Manchester United was not a success unless it contained silverware. Realistically, 11 points adrift of the leaders Arsenal, the Premier League will not be retained. This afternoon United begin their quest for a 12th FA Cup at home to Swansea while on Tuesday they face Sunderland in the first leg of the Capital One Cup semi-final.

"My record in the FA Cup is not too bad," said Moyes. "But it's not enough. I need a trophy. With Everton, I lost to Chelsea in the final and Liverpool in the semis. I would like that record to be better."

In the last half century, United have only twice been knocked out of the FA Cup in the third round at home – Tottenham in 1980 and Leeds in 2010. Today Swansea will be encouraged by the absence of Robin van Persie and Wayne Rooney.

The Dutchman is a long-term absentee but Rooney, who is suffering from a strained abductor muscle, may be back for Tuesday's Capital One Cup semi-final against Sunderland at the Stadium of Light in the middle of what Moyes referred to as "another Christmas period" that sees them play three times in six days.

Moyes admitted to trying to sign the veteran Roma midfielder, Daniele de Rossi. "We certainly did think about bringing De Rossi in during the summer," he said.

Manchester United v Swansea City is on BT Sport 1, kick-off 4.30pm