These sides’ only meeting in the league so far this season came at the London Stadium in December – and Manchester United won 3-1.
This FA Cup tie only brings one moment to mind for me, though:
Two strong lineups there, which serves me right for suggesting anything otherwise. Man Utd do give the likes of Fernandes, Cavani, McTominay, Shaw and the injured Pogba a break. See the name “Diallo” on the bench there? That’s the ludicrously talented 18-year-old Amad Diallo, signed from Atalanta last month. It would be very exciting to see him get a run.
West Ham miss Michail Antonio, who Moyes said has been suffering from fatigue, while Jesse Lingard is ineligible. It means they don’t really start with a recognised centre-forward here. They do have Tomas Soucek, though, after his red card against Fulham was rescinded.
Manchester United: Henderson; Wan-Bissaka, Lindelof, Maguire, Telles; Matic, Fred; Greenwood, van de Beek, Rashford; Martial. Subs: Grant, Shaw, Tuanzebe, Williams, Fernandes, James, McTominay, Diallo, Cavani.
West Ham: Fabianski; Coufal, Dawson, Ogbonna, Cresswell; Rice, Noble, Soucek; Fornals, Bowen, Yarmolenko. Subs: Trott, Diop, Balbuena, Johnson, Fredricks, Alves, Lanzini, Benrahma, Odubeko.
Back in a bit to look at that little lot!
It’s the FA Cup fifth round, this. Just making sure we’re all clear on that, because football comes at you exceedingly fast right now. Now that’s all out in the open, what have we in store?
We have Vastly Improved Manchester United versus Upwardly Mobile West Ham – both tags still work even if they respectively endured frustrating draws at the weekend – and another cheery welcome back to Old Trafford for David Moyes. The outcome of this tie might well depend on which manager *wants it* the most: in a schedule like this, and with much to play for in the league, will either of them want to flog their thoroughbreds in the name of this famous old trophy?
Let’s, errr, hope they do, or that whoever plays puts on a show for us. Certainly should be a fun one, decided on the night of course with penalties if needed. And the prize of a quarter-final place is no small one in this strangest of seasons. Whoever wins tonight will feel they can go all the way.
Get your emails and tweets in while we wait for kick-off (7.30 UK), and let’s enjoy!
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