Amongst all the excitement of the second legs of the Champions League quarter-finals, it mustn't be forgotten that there is some key domestic cup action happening alongside Europe’s elite cup competition. Yes, the FA Cup quarter-final replay between West Ham United and Manchester Untied at Upton Park also kicks off tonight. The original tie was played exactly a month ago, when a late Anthony Martial goal canceled out Dimitri Payet’s first-class free-kick at Old Trafford.
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The game is an iconic one as far as everyone associated with the Hammers is concerned – it will be the last ever Cup fixture at Upton Park, with the club shifting base to the Olympic Stadium from next season onwards. Can Slaven Bilic’s men provide thieir fans a cup farewell to remember? Or will Louis van Gaal turn up party-pooper and inspire his inconsistent side to a Wembley semi-final matchup against Everton?
Kick-Off and Live Telecast
Channel: No TV telecast in India
Live Stream: www.sonysix.com
Kick-Off : Wednesday, 13th April – 2330 IST (1900 BST)
Venue: Upton Park, London
Team News
West Ham will be without forward Diafra Sakho for the game as he nurses a knee injury that keeps him out for a week. Meanwhile, James Collins remain out due to injury, while Sam Byram is ineligible for being cup-tied. Stand-in keeper Darren Randolph is set to start in goal as he has done in each of his side’s previous FA Cup ties.
Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney played 61 minutes for Manchester United’s U21s on Monday and could feature in this game. Phil Jones, who also started for the U21s – could make an appearance as well. Luke Shaw is still out, while Tim-Fosu Mensah is a doubt after coming off injured in Sunday’s defeat to Tottenham.
Team Form
West Ham United come into the match on the back of a nail-biting 3-3 draw against title-chasing Arsenal which saw Andy Carroll scoring a seven minute hat-trick. Dimitri Payet had yet another positive outing for the Hammers and it is the Frenchman towards whom Slaven Bilic will look up to in a bid to overcome Manchester United.
The Hammers’ switch back to a back-four from a back three has worked well for them, meaning that Mikhail Antonio is set to start at right-back once more. Meanwhile Andy Carroll’s presence up the field is set to cause United’s defence a few problems as well with his physicality.
Last 5 games (All Competitions) : D-D-D-D-W (Most Recent : West Ham United 3-3 Arsenal)
Manchester United saw their defence crumble against Tottenham as a rampant 6-minute spell saw them concede thrice. That obviously does no good to their confidence as they approach this tie with a day’s less preparation time than their hosts.
Louis van Gaal’s tactics upfront – where all four attackers were played out of position in the second half – has come in the firing line, further fueling speculation regarding his position as United’s boss at the end of the season. But history suggests that whenever Van Gaal seems to be on the brink, he comes up with a positive result. Ask Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester City.
There could be no better time for the Dutchman to silence his critics with a victory in a game which – as Michael Carrick has suggested – could well be the ‘make or break’ moment of their season. With Champions League qualification hopes hanging by a thread, this competition is definitely van Gaal’s last hope of saving his season and probably his job. With Wayne Rooney back in the fray, can Manchester United silence Upton Park with a match-winning display?
Last 5 games(All Competitions) : L-W-W-D-D (Most Recent : Tottenham 3-0 Manchester United)
Predicted Starting Line-Ups
Key Stats
- The original tie was played on 13th March at Old Trafford, both sides scoring a goal apiece to force this replay.
- The last FA Cup tie at this ground was also a replay – Angelo Ogbonna scoring a 122nd minute winner against Liverpool in the fourth round.
- Manchester United have been knocked out in each of their last two FA Cup quarter-final appearances.
- The last three meetings between these sides in all competitions have been draws.
- West Ham have not lost at Upton Park since August – a 3-4 defeat to Bournemouth in the Premier League.
- Dimitri Payet has scored 12 goals and assisted a further 11 for the Hammers this season.
Manchester United have not scored more than one goal in a competitive fixture since beating Arsenal 3-2 in February.
Key Battle
Andy Carroll vs Chris Smalling
The ex-Liverpool and Newcastle striker Andy Carroll was devastating against Arsenal; using every inch of his height and his physical prowess to score a brilliant hat-trick on Saturday. If one man has the physical attributes to stop Carroll, it is Chris Smalling. The 26-year old, who has been outstanding for Louis van Gaal’s side this season, has a massive job on his hands as he tries to keep the big English striker at bay by challenging him in aerial duels.
Prediction
West Ham United 2-1 Manchester United
United will look to put the thrashing at White Hart Lane behind them with a strong response. However, West Ham’s extra day off and the good form of their key players is set to shade the night. A raucous atmosphere at the end of Upton Park’s Cup swansong is expected to be the outcome.
