Look at this fixture from a Premier League perspective and it’s 14th against ninth – a candidate for a bog standard Saturday 3pm kick-off, you’d be thinking. As it is, this is the FA Cup and it’s a huge chance for both to make a statement for very different reasons.
By Karl Matchett
Can the magic of the cup be restorative?
Every time it seems Manchester United have hit new lows over the past couple of seasons, they find a way to produce another. They very nearly did that in a more literal sense in midweek, more than once being in danger of losing to relegation-threatened Ipswich which would have seen them drop to 16th in the table, improbably.
Instead they turned that game around – and now sit 14th! Upwards! – and can hope for home comforts to help them through in the FA Cup. In recent years this competition has been dominated for the most part by the biggest and most in-form sides or those with the deepest squads – but United themselves won it last year and there’s reason for fans and players alike to believe they could replicate it.
Consider: Liverpool are already out, United knocked out Arsenal themselves, Man City are a shadow of previous years. This competition is wide open at the last-16 stage, and one big performance now followed by a kind draw in the quarters means a Wembley day is very much within reach.
Eyes on the prize – but which?
It’s worth factoring in Fulham’s priorities here, though. What is of more value to the club and to manager Marco Silva? They’ve been largely good this term, if inconsistent from time to time, but ninth in the league table isn’t the whole story – they are only four points off fifth which carries a probable Champions League spot.
Europe of some sort is definitely within reach with a strong finish to the season – but the aforementioned open nature of the cup goes for Fulham, too. Their honours list is effectively the Intertoto Cup of 2002 and a few Second Division (or Championship) titles. They’ve reached the FA Cup final once, and lost.
Do they gamble league form on going for potentially the best-ever day in their history?
Recent form
At home, United have won three and lost two of the last five under Rúben Amorim. On a longer basis it’s seven wins in 11 games, though that includes questionable quality levels of opposition. For Fulham it’s five wins in seven of late, with four wins on the bounce away from home.
Team news
United have seven still out injured including Amad Diallo and Lisandro Martínez. Patrick Dorgu was sent off last time out and it wouldn’t be a shock to see Amorim sideline Alejandro Garnacho for his petulant reaction to being subbed. The same absentees for Fulham as recently: Reiss Nelson, Kenny Tete, Harry Wilson. Emile Smith Rowe could be fit to return, however.
Key player
Rasmus Højlund hasn’t scored since playing Viktoria Plzeň in December. Joshua Zirkzee isn’t first choice but has two goals in cups since then. United remain reliant on Bruno Fernandes for creating and scoring alike.
Prediction
Rotations might benefit the hosts more than the visitors so a narrow win for Amorim: Man United 1 Fulham 0.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
You can follow every FA Cup game with FotMob this season — featuring deep stats coverage, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.