Manchester United v Derby County, FA Cup, 5.1.2018 - Match Preview
2,442 views · Published 4 January 2018 · 4:18 · Indexed 8 November 2026
Channel: Life The Basic Manual · 2018 · Sports
Its FA Cup third round weekend and Manchester United host Derby County in a potentially tricky tie this Friday evening. Currently second in the Championship, the Rams will be no pushover and under the guidance of Gary Rowett are well placed to make a return to the Premiership after a number of seasons out of the top flight. Jose Mourinho will have noted their surge up the table after a slow start and will be sure to put out a strong side to avoid any early embarrassing exit or unwanted replay after a busy Christmas and New Year schedule. Boosted by an impressive second-half display at Goodison Park last Monday, he will surely go with a similar attacking line-up with Jesse Lingard and Anthony Martial hoping to continue their goalscoring exploits in the continued absence of Romelu Lukaku. David de Gea may find himself taking a well-earned break and there could be other changes at the back although the manager may decide to leave well alone with Marcos Rojos and Luke Shaw now establishing themselves in the side. And with suspended Ashley Young, injured Antonio Valencia and long-term casualty Eric Bailly unavailable, he may decide to play safe. Paul Pogba will almost certainly skipper the side and he seems to thrive in the role, making him an obvious candidate to replace Michael Carrick next season if not before. Overworked Nemanja Matic is another that deserves a breather but may be forced to continue alongside a struggling Ander Herrera who seems to have lost his way in recent weeks. Expect the visitors, backed by an enthusiastic following, to give a good account of themselves but it will be a major setback for the Reds to be eliminated at this early stage of the competition.
