2019-20 FA Cup: Fifth Round – Thursday

Derby County look to cause a massive cupset as they host Manchester United at Pride Park, in the final tie of this season’s FA Cup Fifth Round. 

Wayne Rooney could well be lining up against his former Red Devils as Derby look to reach their first FA Cup Quarter Final since 1998-99 season. 

 

Team news

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George Evans is in contention to start for Derby after recovering from a calf injury.

Duane Holmes (ankle), Tom Huddlestone (hamstring), Krystian Bielik (knee) and Ikechi Anya (calf) are still ruled out.  

Manchester United could be without Aaron Wan-Bissaka who is struggling with a back injury picked up against Everton on Sunday. 

Daniel James is doubtful with an unspecified injury which saw him miss Sunday’s draw at Everton, likely joining Lee Grant on the sidelines as the goalkeeper is also absent with an undisclosed injury. 

Paul Pogba (foot) and Marcus Rashford (back) are both definitely sidelined, but Axel Tuanzebe and Timothy Fosu-Mensah could be in contention if they can prove their fitness in time. 

 

Stat Attack

• Derby have avoided defeat in just three of 11 previous FA Cup meetings against Manchester United (W2, D1, L8), of which those three unbeaten matches came under Utd’s former name – Newton Heath between 1896-97. 
• Man Utd have won all six previous FA Cup trips to Pride Park against Derby under their current name, having last lost here in February 1987. 
• Both teams have scored in four of their last five meetings, which all came in domestic Cup competitions. 
• Derby have lost just one of their last four FA Cup games against Premier League opposition (W1, D2, L1), since losing in Third Round against Utd in January 2018.
• Utd’s seven FA Cup goals this season have all come from different goal scorers. 

 

Prediction

Derby have shown considerable improvement since Rooney properly linked up with the squad in January, although they’re going to have to be at their absolute best to get anything here. 

Man Utd have also improved in recent weeks but Sunday’s performance showed that the defence and even goalkeeper are still vulnerable against fast paced attacks, which is a concern because if Tom Lawrence starts for Derby then this could be a tough clash. 

I therefore can see this being another scrappy game but United should find their way through to take victory. 

Prediction: Derby County 1-2 Manchester United

Result: Derby County 0-3 Manchester United