Manchester United return to Old Trafford this weekend where they host West Ham in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup. After a dismal defeat against Liverpool in the Europa League last-16, heading into this FA Cup QF tie this weekend could offer some form of redemption for the Red Devils this season. Winning this match and possibly the FA Cup later would not make the season a success but it would certainly soften the blow of a shambolic year under LVG in-charge of his second season as United boss given that we haven’t won it in over a decade.
West Ham enter this match in good form, having won their last three Premier League matches, including a 1-0 win over Premier League title contenders Tottenham. Louis Van Gaal needs to have his squad up and going as their next two matches come against Liverpool in the Europa return leg and then the Manchester derby next weekend. More than anything else, they must hope to book their place in the semi-finals of the FA Cup when they host West Ham at Old Trafford on Sunday. Above and beyond all other competitive analysis. Manchester United must make sure that they pass this West Ham test with utmost sincerity and conviction before the subsequent biggies in the calendar.
In order for that to happen, here’s a compiled take on United’s strongest possible line-up in the FA Cup QF clash with West Ham at home:
Manchester United (4-2-3-1): De Gea; Varela, Smalling, Rojo, Fosu-Mensah; Schneiderlin, Schweinsteiger; Memphis, Herrera, Martial; Rashford
Injured Absentees: Shaw, Young, Rooney, Jones, Januzaj
The Dutch coach could consider the returns of Antonio Valencia, Phil Jones and Cameron Borthwick-Jackson, who are all close to match fitness. Juan Mata misses the game through suspension. Jesse Lingard is available again after serving a European suspension against Liverpool.
Key Facts:
Manchester United have won 5 of their last 6 matches in the FA Cup.
Manchester United are undefeated in their last 10 matches against West Ham in all competitions.
The last two matches between Manchester United and West Ham have ended in draws.
The two sides last met in the FA Cup three seasons ago, with Manchester United securing a 1-0 home victory in a third-round replay.
The Hammers are winless in their last nine trips to Old Trafford in all competitions (D1, L8).
West Ham’s last two cup triumphs over United were at Old Trafford, the most recent being by 1-0 in 2001.
The 11-time FA Cup winners last lifted the trophy in 2004.
They have lost both of their last two sixth-round appearances, including a 2-1 home defeat by eventual winners Arsenal last season.
United have conceded only once in their three previous FA Cup games this campaign.
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.
Although, the Hammers are very much going to fancy themselves to go through to the semi-finals as well, the Red Devils will want to win a trophy this season and considering the fact that they might be on their way out of the Europa League soon, FA Cup is their best chance of winning silverware this season.
West Ham Manager Slaven Bilic: “They are like a wounded lion, they have a massive game against us. It’s going to be very difficult but are we confident? Yes of course, we are confident, but not because Manchester United didn’t play well (against Liverpool). We are confident because we are playing well. “But it would be dangerous, suicidal, if we approach the game like ‘they are playing badly, we are playing well, and we are going to cruise it’. No way we will do that.”
It will be interesting to see how Manchester United manage to counter West Ham’s threat especially if they play an offensive game. It’s definitely not going to be an easy one for Manchester United even though they play at home.
