Huddersfield Town v Manchester United
FA Cup Fifth Round, February 17 2018
Having only faced off in the league two weeks earlier, Manchester United and Huddersfield Town lock horns again on Saturday evening, the FA Cup providing both teams with some respite from what is proving to be a difficult season. The home side needed a replay and a penalty shootout to defeat Birmingham City in the last round, while their form in the league has taken a serious turn for the worse in 2018.
They recorded a much-needed victory last weekend against Bournemouth, a result which ended a run of eight games without a win in the Premier League and halted a slide that began in mid-December. While the recent meeting at Old Trafford ended in a 2-0 defeat, the Terriers will be fully aware that they are one of the few sides to beat United this season, earning a 2-1 win in the reverse fixture back in October.
As they once again prepare to host United at the John Smiths Stadium, boss David Wagner is expected to field some variation of the 5-3-2 formation he has deployed against the top flight’s best teams this term or use 4-2-3-1. He will hope his side can hold out at one end while striking on the counter-attack at the other, but Jose Mourinho’s men have scored at least 2 goals in five of their last six FA Cup matches.
The Portuguese coach was unhappy with his side’s performance in the loss to Newcastle, their second defeat in three games seeing rivals and neighbours Manchester City once again extend their lead at the top of the table. He is also expected to have one eye on next week’s Champions League last-16 clash with Sevilla, which could lead to heavy rotation for this encounter but United are still expected to utilise the 4-2-3-1 formation that has served them well throughout 2017/18.
The likes of Sergio Romero, Luke Shaw, Marcos Rojo, Victor Lindelof, Michael Carrick and Matteo Darmian are therefore all expected to come into the starting XI on Saturday, while Paul Pogba’s poor form could see him left out once again. Scott McTominay expected to benefit with another start in place of the Frenchman, with Zlatan Ibrahimovic believed to be pushing for a return in the attack.
Eric Bailly is closing in on full fitness but won't be risked against Huddersfield, who have a growing injury list of their own to contend with. Elias Kachunga, Jon Gorenc Stankovic and Chris Löwe are all ruled out, while Laurent Depoitre and Tommy Smith are both doubtful and Alex Pritchard is cup-tied for the hosts having featured in the competition with Norwich earlier this season. Aaron Mooy avoided a serious injury at the weekend, but required stitches across his knee and the midfielder may not be risked against Manchester United.
Huddersfield Town (4-2-3-1): Coleman; Hadergjonaj, Zanka, Schindler, Kongolo; Hogg, Billing; Quaner, Ince, Parra; Mounie
Manchester United (4-2-3-1): Romero; Darmian, Lindelof, Rojo, Shaw; McTominay, Carrick; Mata, Lingard, Sanchez; Lukaku
