Manchester United, West Ham unable to escape FA Cup embarrassment

Manchester United players dejectedly walk off the field following a 2-1 FA Cup loss to Swansea City.

Jon Super/AP

And that fact perhaps illuminates a wider truth, that the early rounds of the Cup are for the smaller clubs and for their dreams of a giant-killing that will resonate through their history. You would hope the bigger sides would recognize their responsibility on that regard and at least make an effort to reach out for the glory that might await in May, even though the best they can hope for at this stage is to avoid the sort of embarrassment suffered by Moyes and Manchester United.