Yes true. We can even say that their defeat in the FA Cup gives them a very good advantage for their forward fixtures. That's why they don't want to compress their main squad with the matches of the FA Cup. That's why regular defeats might work for these teams. This is a long standing system. Maybe there can be such a surprise in the Manchester City-Fulham game today.
I don't think it's luck for Manchester, because after all a big team is required to be able to get every trophy there is, even though the FA trophy is not very prestigious but the trophy should be an achievement for Rangnick at the end of the season, indeed now Manchester is still have hope in champions league but their journey to win a trophy in the champions league is not an easy thing, besides that manchester lowered its main squad against middlesbrough, but instead they suffered a defeat, then how can they be favorites when facing tough teams in the premier league and league champions later?
The FA Cup may not be Man United's priority this season, but still it would be better if Man United could win the FA Cup trophy. Because a good team is
a team that can get a lot of trophies, then with Man United being eliminated from the FA Cup it is not a profitable thing. Don't make it an advantage that
with Man United eliminated in the FA Cup it can concentrate on other competitions, Man United should be able to set a strategy in order to survive
in all competitions. What hurts more is Man United having to lose to Middlesbrough, which Middlesbrough is not a team from the Premier League.
So it must be admitted that Man United's performance was very disappointing. this will make the morale of Man United players fall. I doubted Man United
could beat Atletico in the Champions League, and also there is a possibility this season also Man United failed to enter the top 4.