Manchester United hosts Middlesbrough in a fourth-round FA Cup clash on Friday night at 8 p.m. at Old Trafford.
A lot has happened since the Red Devils were last in action on 22 January, when Marcus Rashford’s injury-time winner against West Ham United gave United all three points.
Since then, the buzz at Old Trafford has centered on transfers, with Anthony Martial and Donny van de Beek leaving since that win against the Hammers, although Jesse Lingard and Dean Henderson have remained.
There were no late additions to the Red Devils’ team, which means that the same set of players who gave such uneven performances and results in the first half of the season will hope for better success in the closing months of the season.
Ralf Rangnick’s men advanced to the fourth round after a 1-0 win over Aston Villa in the previous round, and the match with Boro is the first of 16 ties this weekend.
It also marks the beginning of a busy month for United, who will play seven games in three competitions in February.
Middlesbrough is vying for promotion to the Championship and has won eight of the last ten games in all competitions under Chris Wilder.
The 54-year-old overcame United last season as manager of Sheffield United, and he was in charge when the sides drew 3-3 at Bramall Lane in November 2019.
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Paddy McNair, a Northern Ireland international who came through the youth levels at United and played 27 times for the club, is also in Middlesbrough’s squad.
What is the most recent team news?
United has a reasonably limited injury list going into the game, although there are concerns over Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Luke Shaw’s availability, both of whom missed United’s last game before the international break.
Rangnick is unsure whether the pair will be available, but Paul Pogba might return to the club after missing the last three months with a hamstring injury.
The Frenchman was spotted practicing earlier this week, and Rangnick stated before the international break that the No.6 may return in time for the FA Cup match.
Meanwhile, Henderson and Lingard could be involved after their deadline-day departures from the club fell through.
Rangnick might use the fourth-round tie to give playing time to marginal players like Phil Jones, Eric Bailly, Nemanja Matic, and Juan Mata. Mason Greenwood has been suspended by the club and will not be able to play.
Riley McGree will not make his Middlesbrough debut after testing positive for Covid-19 while on international duty with Australia.
Flo Balogun, an on-loan striker from Arsenal, did not play in the last round and is an option for Wilder.
Predicted starting lineups:
Manchester United (4-3-3): Henderson; Dalot, Maguire, Jones, Shaw; Matic, McTominay, Fernandes; Lingard, Ronaldo, and Elanga.
Middlesbrough (3-5-2): Lumley; Dijksteel, Fry, McNair; Jones, Crooks, Howson, Tavernier, Taylor; Sporar, Connolly; Sporar, Connolly.
Is the game on TV?
The game will be shown live on ITV 1 in the United Kingdom, with the pre-match build-up beginning at 7:30 p.m. It is also available to watch on the ITV Hub.
How do I view highlights?
After the game, the primary highlights will be available on the clubs’ own websites, while the FA Cup’s YouTube account will also feature post-match highlights. And don’t forget to follow Manchester World for live match coverage and player ratings after the final whistle.
