Although many have already dismissed Manchester United during a season of further change and uncertainty, the FA Cup presents a credible opportunity for domestic silverware.
The 13-time winners begin their latest chapter in the world’s oldest competition at Old Trafford against a familiar Premier League foe in Brighton.
Having overseen a 2-2 midweek draw against Burnley, Darren Fletcher will lead his team into the third round on Sunday, aiming to add another notch on a significant individual belt.
He’ll lock horns with Fabian Hurzeler, whose men have endured an erratic campaign, but will arrive with plenty of confidence after collecting an impressive point against Manchester City.
Still, Fletcher will be hopeful his squad can replicate their efforts during a memorable 4-2 win when the sides last met in Manchester in October.
Manchester United FA Cup Team News
Bruno Fernandes returned to the starting XI on Wednesday, earning 60 minutes after missing three games through injury.
Mason Mount, Kobbie Mainoo, and Harry Maguire were also included in the matchday squad, with the latter the only player not to get a run out at Turf Moor.
Maguire has not featured since the beginning of November and has been managed carefully, along with the others who returned at Burnley.
“Well, he has been out for a while, so it would probably be looking at his load and things like that,” Fletcher stated.
“That decision’s not been made, but you’ve seen the players come back the other night. You’ve seen Mason [Mount], you’ve seen Kobbie [Mainoo], you’ve seen Bruno [Fernandes].
“There has to be some understanding of their first minutes. We might have to be careful with that process to build back in, so I think Harry will probably be in that situation for the weekend.”
The Africa Cup of Nations is approaching its final stages, where Noussair Mazraoui’s Morocco saw off Bryan Mbeumo’s Cameroon on Friday. Regardless, suggestions about a quickfire return are wide of the mark.
“I think it’s too close a turnaround,” the interim coach responded when asked about Mbeumo. “So we’ll have the same players available for the game, as we had against Burnley, so no new additions.”
Matthijs de Ligt remains sidelined due to injury.
The significance of the moment is not lost on United’s one-time midfield general, having tasted success as a player during the 2003-04 season.
“It’s an important competition and Manchester United is about winning trophies,” the 41-year-old stated proudly.
“I think we’ve had good success in the competition in recent years – won it a couple years ago, lost in a final.
“It’s an amazing competition. It’s the first trophy that I won as a player. It’s a special tournament.”
United and Brighton have faced off on six occasions in the FA Cup, and the Reds have prevailed each time, most recently in the 2022-23 semi-final.
Generally speaking, the third round has been a happy hunting ground in Manchester, with the Old Trafford outfit winning 38 of the previous 40 outings.
Matheus Cunha has scored in each of his last four FA Cup appearances. Only four players have managed to net in five – Marc Overmars, Darren Bent, Wayne Rooney, and Romelu Lukaku.
Should Fletcher hope to progress on Sunday, he will need the Brazilian to be on top form against a very challenging side.
Predicted Manchester United starting XI: (4-2-3-1): Lammens; Dalot, Heaven, Martinez, Shaw; Casemiro, Mainoo; Dorgu, Bruno, Cunha; Sesko.
Do you think Manchester United will progress to the fourth round of the FA Cup? Let us know your thoughts in the comments or across our socials.
Photo by operations@newsimages.co.uk via depositphotos.com.
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