Manchester United v West Ham: FA CUP PREVIEW
After lifting the EFL Cup earlier this week, Manchester United host West Ham in the 5th round of the FA Cup as they look to edge closer to another final at Wembley Stadium.
Manchester United enjoyed winning the Carabao Cup on Sunday putting an end to their six-year-long drought. The way United started this season, few would have better on them to life a piece of silverware at the end of it. Now we are halfway and Erik Ten Hag’s Reds have secured a title to their name while being in contention to win the Quadruplet at the end of this season.
The Reds took the lead in the 33rd minute as new signing Casemiro made his mark with a thumping header sending the ball into the net. The 5-time Champions League expectedly brought the necessary calmness and experience in the game as Man United dominated the midfield park. Red-hot Rashford was on the scoresheet again as he capitalised on an uncharacteristically weak Newcastle United defence. At first, he wasn’t awarded the goal but after a few checks, the goal was rightfully given to the 25-year-old’s name.
The Magpies though enjoyed massive support from the Tyne-side fans, they couldn’t live up to their expectations as they let United win the game in a comfortable way.
The Red Devils have progressed from the FA Cup fifth round more than any other team in England (41 times). Though they had to leave the competition early last season after a defeat to Middlesborough, Ten Hag’s team is a changed one and they will give everything to get to another final and win it.
Meanwhile, David Moyes will aim to avoid a third successive elimination from this stage of the competition when the Hammerers face United. Following their resounding win against Nottingham Forest in the Premier League, they got out of the relegation zone due to favourable results at other parts.
They are still not clear of relegation threat a slender 2-point lead is what separates them from 18th-placed Everton.
West Ham have underperformed this season and are finding it difficult to both score and defend. A massive task lies in David Moyes’ hands as they take on an in-form Manchester United side.
Predicted XIs
Manchester United: Heaton; Wan-Bissaka, Lindelof, Maguire, Malacia; Casemiro, Sabitzer; Sancho, Fernandes, Rashford; Weghorst
West Ham: Areola; Johnson, Kehrer, Aguerd, Cresswell; Rice, Soucek, Paqueta; Benrahma, Antonio, Bowen
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