Aston Villa travel to Old Trafford for the second time this season after drawing Manchester United in the third round for the fifth time in twenty years.
Here is all you need to know about Manchester United in the FA Cup.
FA Cup Head-to-Head History
11/03/1963 | Manchester United 1-0 Aston Villa
06/01/2002 | Aston Villa 2-3 Manchester United
04/01/2004 | Aston Villa 1-2 Manchester United
07/01/2007 | Manchester United 2-1 Aston Villa
03/01/2008 | Aston Villa 0-2 Manchester United
Manchester United’s FA Cup Profile
Winners | 12
Runners Up | 8
Top Goalscorer | Dennis Law (34)
Team News
United are hoping to be welcoming back Lindelof and their Captain Harry Maguire after a period out while the game comes too soon for Paul Pogba who has been out for a while after he picked up an injury while away on international duty with France.
In addition, United are without defender Eric Bailly and midfielder Hannibal Mejbri following their call ups for the Africa Cup Of Nations by their respective nations.
Opposition View
I spoke with a Manchester United fan to gather his thoughts on the cup contest
Q. After Rangnick’s first seven games in charge, what have you made of his start in the Interim role?
Yeah look I think appointing Ragnick was good but I feel like the players aren’t motivated around him and it’s shown in our recent performances. Ragnick has come to England with tactic of his own 4-2-2-2 which I don’t think most of the players are even adjusting to it! Give it some time I think will improve and breeze through the tactics he’s instructed.
GeorgeGidstar
Q. With United sitting 22 points behind their Manchester rivals and out of the Carabao Cup, are you expecting United to put out a fairly strong eleven in the Cup in order to secure your first piece of silverware for 5 years?
“I think so because top 4 race isn’t looking likely and it’s something maybe we can finally achieve silverware this season in the FA cup! But who knows on the day most likely will be our second team! Henderson, Donny etc.
GeorgeGidstar
Q. Are there any hidden gems in your squad that you think might make the starting eleven that you think Villa fans should be wary of?
Hidden gems? “Umm not really most teams have now studied on us and known our weakness! But if I had to say something maybe on counter on the break on the likes of Ronaldo, Greenwood and Bruno!
GeorgeGidstar
Q. Finally What’s your score prediction?
Prediction, I’m going to be honest here! I’m hoping for a United win but wouldn’t be surprised if villa snatch it! United 1-0 villa.
GeorgeGidstar
Last Time Out In The Cup
Manchester United’s last game in the FA Cup was against eventual winners Leicester City in the Quarter Finals. This is a recap of the key events of the game.
Leicester City started the game in a dangerous fashion as Jamie Vardy’s cross arrived back at his own feet before striking at goal which almost caught Dean Henderson out. It set a tone as Manchester United’s afternoon did not get any better, Fred’s poorly communicated and executed back pass was intercepted by Iheanacho who calmly took it around the keeper, passing it into an empty net to put Leicester in front with twenty four minutes on the clock.
United finally managed to get a foot-hold on the game when Pogba’s low cross into the box was dummied by Donny Van De Beek into the path of the clinical Mason Greenwood who made no mistake putting the ball in the back of the net, 1-1. Into the second half, once again it was Leicester who started the strongest with the first chance of the half coming from Tielemans who picked up the ball from a one-two with Iheanacho and drove towards the Manchester United goal smashing the ball into the bottom corner of the goal from just inside of the box. After going behind for the second time in the game, United stepped up their intensity and Alex Telles’s cross was just a little too quick for Martial waiting in the box.
An individual error nearly cost Manchester United for a second time as Wan-Bissaka’s throw in made it difficult for Mason Greenwood to control, this lead to Iheanacho playing a precise through ball which split United’s defence but Vardy couldn’t provide the finish to put Leicester two in front.
Leicester put the game to bed late on, Barnes’s cross towards the back post fell perfectly to Iheanacho who bagged his second of the game, 3-1. United had one last chance with a Bruno Fernandes free-kick which forced an excellent save from Schmeichel but could not beat him.
My Prediction
Given what Gerrard has said in his press conference and how successful he has been in this competition as a player, I think we will go full strength.
I’m confident that we will go to Old Trafford and give United a game. I’m going for a BIG 2-0 win with Chukwuemeka and Sanson amongst the goals!
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