This evening sees FA Cup action return to Old Trafford since Wayne Rooney's last-gasp penalty earned Manchester United a narrow third-round victory over League One Sheffield United. This time, they welcome high-flying West Ham United in the quarter-finals - the winners earning themselves a berth in the last 4 and a trip to Wembley.
While United have been suffering ragged ups and downs of forms, Slaven Bilic's Hammers have been on a rampage in the recent past. The Hammers have won their last 3 league games. With United facing a tough challenge to overturn a two-goal deficit against Liverpool in the Europa League, this competition(FA Cup) looks like their only realistic opportunity to grab some silverware and save manager Louis van Gaal.
Can the Hammers further dent the Red Devils’ season with a victory at Old Trafford?
Kick-Off and Live Telecast
Channel: Sony SIX
Kick-Off : Sunday, 13th March – 2130 IST (1600 BST)
Venue: Old Trafford, Manchester, England
Team News
Manchester United have no fresh injury concerns, but Wayne Rooney, Luke Shaw and Ashley Young remain out. Meanwhile, Antonio Valencia and Bastian Schweinsteiger are nearly match fit and could compete for a starting place. Juan Mata is suspended – meaning Ander Herrera could start in his position as Jesse Lingard should make a return from a European suspension.
West Ham United travel to Old Trafford without James Collins and James Tomkins, both of whom are injured. Right-back Sam Byram is cup-tied and hence ineligible to play in this fixture.
Form Guide
Manchester United’s hopes of qualifying for the Champions League through Europa League success were dealt a major blow as they were comprehensively swept aside by arch-rivals Liverpool on Thursday. The players didn’t seem to have a clue on how to neutralise Liverpool’s intensity and simply buckled under the high pressure exerted by the home side.
It was David de Gea’s heroics in goal that ensured that United still have an outside chance of turning the tie on its head. Barring a miraculous turnaround this Thursday, the FA Cup now remains United’s only hope of finishing a terrible season with something to ride home about.
Last 5 games(All Competitions) : L-L-W-W-W (Most Recent – Liverpool 2-0 Manchester United)
West Ham United’s morale will be at its highest following an unforgettable comeback at Goodison Park last week, where they came from two goals down to beat Everton 3-2, scoring thrice in the last 13 minutes. Michail Antonio and Dimitri Payet were the main figures who engineered the fightback with some excellent positioning to read crosses coming in from the wing.
West Ham’s pace on the counter-attack via. Manuel Lanzini and Antonio is also set to cause the Red Devils a few headaches. Will the Hammers continue their good run with a positive result at Old Trafford?
Last 5 games(All Competitions): W-W-W-W-D (Most Recent – Everton 2-3 West Ham United)
Predicted Line-Ups
Key Stats
Head-to-Head
- The two sides last met in an FA Cup tie in 2013 when Robin van Persie’s stoppage time equaliser at Upton Park forced a replay, which Sir Alex’s side won 1-0.
- West Ham haven’t won at Old Trafford in their last 9 attempts (D1, L8). The last time they were victorious there was when Carlos Tevez’s strike helped the Hammers stay in the Premier League on the final day of the 2006-07 season.
Manchester United
- United’s last two FA Cup exits have been at Old Trafford. They have lost at this stage(quarter-finals) twice in the last three seasons – against Chelsea in 2013 and Arsenal in 2015.
- They have scored 12 goals in their last four games at Old Trafford in all competitions, as many as they had managed in their previous 13 home matches.
West Ham United
- The Hammers are unbeaten in their last 6 games in all competitions (W5, D1).
- They last reached the sixth round of the FA Cup in the 2010-11 season, where they lost to Tony Pulis’ Stoke City.
- Mikhail Antonio has scored in each of his last three appearances in all competitions.
Key Battle
Anthony Martial vs Joey O’Brien
With James Tomkins injured and Sam Byram cup-tied, 30-year old Joey O’Brien should have the responsibility of dealing with the quick-footed Anthony Martial. The 20-year old, who has already displayed his mastery in the ball in the FA Cup this season will look to exploit the veteran fullback’s long injury layoff and lack of pace on the wing to dominate the byline and create goal-scoring opportunities for United.
Prediction
West Ham’s ruthlessness on the counter attack will definitely improve their chances of getting a result tonight. Looking at the teams’ form and United’s recent home record, a draw seems the most plausible prediction, with the tie going to a replay. Should that be the case, that will be Upton Park’s last ever Cup fixture, as the Hammers relocate to the Olympic Stadium next season.
Manchester United 1-1 West Ham United
Betting odds (bet365)
Manchester United – 10/10
Draw – 11/4
West Ham United – 10/3
