Manchester United begin this season’s FA Cup competition on Friday night with a third round tie at home to Everton.
It is approaching six years since Manchester United last won a trophy, and this May will be seven years since the last FA Cup triumph in 2016.
United beat Everton in the semi-final that year with Anthony Martial scoring the winner. A 2018 final defeat followed, and the closest the club have come since is the semi-final in 2020.
Last season United were defeated in a Friday night match at home to Middlesbrough. Erik ten Hag will be keen for his side to avoid the same fate.
Opponents Everton enter the game in disarray, losing four of their last five games and drawing the other, including a 4-1 home defeat to Brighton in midweek, putting manager Frank Lampard under serious pressure.
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Predicted Manchester United line-up v Everton
Erik ten Hag told Manchester United’s website he intends to use his squad wisely over the coming weeks, with a Carabao Cup quarter-final against Charlton on Tuesday night, and then Manchester City the following weekend.
There was some rotation in the game against Bournemouth in midweek, with Donny van de Beek starting prior to his injury, and Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof making returns to the side.
We are anticipating as many as seven changes to the midweek side, and it will still be a very strong XI selected by Erik ten Hag.
David de Gea should get the start in goal. There is no reason to take a risk and put Tom Heaton in.
In defence, United could be ‘all change’ bringing in a back four which has started several matches together already this season.
This means Tyrell Malacia coming in at left-back to give Luke Shaw a break, who Erik ten Hag said felt ‘ill’ late in the Bournemouth game.
Lisandro Martinez will make his return in defence after coming off the bench in midweek, and Raphael Varane will also slot back into the side after being rested.
Diogo Dalot is also a likely starter after making his return against Bournemouth as a late substitute. He had been out with an injury and this will be his first start since the World Cup.
Christian Eriksen could also get a break in midfield with Fred coming in alongside Casemiro. This is the toughest aspect of the line-up to predict. It wouldn’t be a shock to see ‘McFred’ reunited.
Bruno Fernandes will start, as he is suspended for the quarter-final against Charlton, which is extra reason to rest Eriksen tonight.
In attack we should see Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial, and a returning Antony, who is back in training after missing the match against Bournemouth with a minor injury.
In: Malacia, Varane, Martinez, Dalot, Fred, Antony
Out: Shaw, Maguire, Lindelof, Wan-Bissaka, Eriksen, Van de Beek
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