Ole Gunnar Solskjaer waded into the FA Cup debate by admitting Manchester United regretted pulling out of the tournament in 2000.
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp caused controversy by stating his intention to play a reserve team in their FA Cup replay against Shrewsbury and refusing to take charge for the game.
The replay falls during Liverpool's mid-season break and Klopp has insisted he will honour the FA's edict to respect it by not allowing any of his first-team stars to feature in the replay.
Holders United pulled out of the 2000 FA Cup to play in the FIFA Club World Cup and help the FA's bid to host the 2006 World Cup, a decision Solskjaer said was regretful.
“You know, I think we all regret maybe not going for it in 2000 when we went to the World Club Championship tournament in Brazil,” said Solskjaer.
“It's never nice not to be participating. It's supposed to be a break and the English clubs, they need a break.
“It's up to Jurgen and Liverpool to make their decisions, Jose Mourinho and Tottenham also have a replay, we're just happy not to get a replay ourselves. It was playing on our mind, [the prospect of] three days' less holiday.
“I loved the FA Cup, playing in the semi-finals and the final. When you've got a big squad it's a challenge to win all three trophies and we did in 1999.
“For me, it's always going to go down in history as the greatest season an English club has done.”
With four days left before the transfer deadline, United are no nearer to signing any players, with no agreement with Sporting Lisbon on a fee for Bruno Fernandes.
“We've got players here we're working hard to get back as well,” said Solskajer.
“I can't remember how many good ones we've brought in and good deals in January.
“Henrik Larsson was good, Nemanja Vidic and Patrice Evra.
“It's very hard, the clubs don't want to lose their best players and Alexis [Sanchez] will come back in the summer and prove you all wrong.”
