Manchester United Welcome Romelu Lukaku Back For FA Cup Test Against Derby

Manchester United Welcome Romelu Lukaku Back For FA Cup Test Against Derby
14:38, 04 Jan 2018

Preview: Manchester United v Derby County; Kick-off: January 5, 20:00; Venue: Old Trafford; Referee: Kevin Friend

Manchester United will attempt to book their spot in the fourth round of the FA Cup when they welcome Derby County to Old Trafford on Friday night.

United will fancy their chances of overcoming the Rams on home soil, but it is just over two weeks since Jose Mourinho’s side lost to another high-flying Championship outfit in a cup competition.

Indeed, the Red Devils bowed out of the EFL Cup at the quarter-final stage courtesy of a 2-1 defeat at Bristol City on December 20, and they will host a Derby team that are unbeaten in their last seven matches.

United drew three straight Premier League matches against Leicester City, Burnley and Southampton over the festive period, but returned to winning ways on New Year’s Day with a 2-0 success away to Everton.

Mourinho’s side were impressive at Goodison Park, but they are now 15 points adrift of league leaders Manchester City.

United will fancy their chances of beating Sevilla in the last-16 stage of the Champions League, but the strength of the European competition this season will make it difficult for the 20-time English champions to challenge for the crown.

That places more importance on the FA Cup, which is a competition that United have won on 12 occasions. They beat Crystal Palace in the 2016 final to land the trophy, but lost out to Chelsea in the quarter-finals last season.

It was not exactly a strong December for United as they lost at home to Manchester City, in addition to drawing three games in their pursuit of the leaders. It has been far from a disastrous campaign, however, and Mourinho will certainly have his eye on a run in the FA Cup this season.

As for Derby, the Rams will enter the match off the back of a seven-game unbeaten run in the Championship. Wolverhampton Wanderers have been the Manchester City of the second tier this season, but Derby have been the best of the rest, and they currently sit second ahead of Cardiff City.

Gary Rowett’s side have only lost five of their 26 league matches this term, and have also been past the third round of the FA Cup in each of the last three seasons. Derby actually hosted United in the fourth round of the 2015-16 FA Cup, with the Red Devils running out 3-1 winners courtesy of goals from Wayne Rooney, Daley Blind and Juan Mata.

The pair also clashed in the 2008-09 FA Cup, and again it was United that triumphed with a 4-1 away win. Derby did beat United 1-0 in the League Cup in January 2009 though and have a recent away victory over the Red Devils to their name – 1-0 during the 2000-01 Premier League season.

Friday will bring the 106th meeting between United and Derby in all competitions. United have won 45 of their previous 105 matches, but Derby have also claimed 31 victories. The Premier League club are the favourites, but it is far from a home banker when taking everything into consideration.

Team news

Mourinho revealed at his pre-match press conference that Romelu Lukaku was available after recovering from the head injury that he picked up in the goalless draw with Southampton last weekend.

Marouane Fellaini is also expected to be a part of the squad, but Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Antonio Valencia are still injured, while Ashley Young will miss out through suspension once again.

Sergio Romero will start between the sticks, while Axel Tuanzebe and Scott McTominay are also pushing for positions in the team.

Henrikh Mkhitaryan struggled in his last appearance against Southampton, but the Armenian could be given another chance to shine here with Anthony Martial and Jesse Lingard among those that could be rested.

Former England international Scott Carson is Derby’s number one goalkeeper, but Jonathan Mitchell has featured in the EFL Cup this season, and could start at Old Trafford. Former United youngster Tom Lawrence could also shake off a hip problem to play his part.

Former Liverpool defender Andre Wisdom, meanwhile, is expected to come into the away side’s XI alongside experienced centre-back Alex Pearce.

Chris Martin and George Thorne could both feature after coming off the bench against Sheffield United on New Year’s Day, and Mason Bennett is also in line to start as head coach Rowett prepares to shuffle his pack.

Expected starting lineups

United: Romero; Tuanzebe, Lindelof, Smalling, Shaw; McTominay, Herrera; Rashford, Mkhitaryan, Mata; Lukaku

Derby: Mitchell; Wisdom, Pearce, Davies, Forsyth; Thorne, Huddlestone; Anya, Vydra, Bennett; Martin

Did you know?

United have only lost one of their last 35 FA Cup games against lower-league opposition at Old Trafford – winning 28 times in the process. Their sole defeat during that run was against Leeds United in January 2010.

Prediction

United recently lost to Championship opposition in the cup, and Derby will enter the match full of confidence following an impressive recent run.

It is a tough task for the second-tier club to win at Old Trafford, however, with Mourinho’s side very strong on home soil. I fancy a fairly routine United win.

Score prediction: Manchester United 2-0 Derby County

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