Newly minted Carabao Cup winners Manchester United will be back in FA Cup action on Wednesday when they host West Ham at Old Trafford for the Fifth Round, with kickoff slated for 19:45 GMT.
Erik Ten Hag will be focusing on more potential silverware this season for his side when he picks the team against the Hammers. His charges will be focused on progressing in the cup as they keep their options open this season alongside the Europe League and the Premier League.
West Ham will be looking to keep their form running when they face Manchester United at Old Trafford off the back of the impressive 4-0 triumph over Nottingham Forest on Saturday.
Key Highlights
Prioritizing the FA Cup for Manchester United
Having won the Carabao Cup by downing Newcastle, many at Manchester United will see the FA cup as another source of potential silverware this season.
As a result, Ten Hag s likely to select a strong team against West Ham as the focus shifts to other potential options of winning this season.
The gaffer will have to get his charges in the right frame of mind to face West Ham, even if the clash comes two days removed from the triumph at Wembley.
Bolstering West Ham’s Poor Form
David Moyes’ men have been in inconsistent and sometimes wretched form this season. Mired in 16th on the table and just 2 points off the drop zone, the Hammers need to pick themselves up quickly.
The Cup will offer them another chance to build their form when they travel to an Old Trafford side in good form.
Moyes will know that this is a cup game and that his side should give it a go, make Manchester United uncomfortable, and test the Carabao Cup Champions.
Injury Report
Man Utd
Central midfielder Donny van de Beek is out of the West Ham match with a knee injury; the 25-year-old has been sidelined since January 3, 2023, and is expected to be back fit by June 30, 2023.
Erik Ten Hag will also be without Christian Eriksen, with the 31-year-old central midfielder nursing an ankle injury. The Dane is expected back fit by April 30, 2023.
Manchester United will also be without Anthony Martial; the 27-year-old center-forward has been out with a hip injury since February 2, 2023. Having missed 7 aches already, no return date has been set for the Frenchman.
West Ham
David Moyes will be without a few first team players in the FA Cup clash at Old Trafford on Wednesday. The Hammers will be without left winger Maxwel Cornet; the 26-year-old has been sidelined with a calf injury since October 1, 2022.
Moyes will also be without Gianluca Scamacca; the 24-year-old center-forward has been nursing a knee injury since January 20th, 2023; the Italian has missed 6 months.
Center-forward Danny Ings has been nursing a knee injury since January 21st; the 30-year-old striker will be unavailable for West Ham on Wednesday.
West Ham will also be without center-back Kurt Zouma, who is nursing a hamstring injury; the 28-year-old French defender has been out since January 27th.
Possible Lineups
Man Utd
D. de Gea; A. Bissaka, R. Varane, L. Martinez. L. Shaw; Fred, Casemiro; Anthony, B. Fernandes, M. Rashford, W. Weghorst
West Ham
L. Fabianski; V. Coufal, N. Aguerd, A. Ogbonna, B. Johnson; T. Soucek, D. Rice, Lucas Paqueta; J. Bowen, D. Ings, S. Benrahma
Prediction
Manchester United will play with confidence and on the front foot. They will dominate possession and set the tempo of the match.
West Ham will be compact, disciplined, and solid in their approach. They will mainly attack through transitions and set pieces.
Manchester United will have too much for the Hammers, they will win the match and progress in the Cup.
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