Ralf Rangnick’s Manchester United look to avoid a cupset against Middlesbrough at Old Trafford in the Fourth Round of 2021-22 FA Cup.
Utd are looking to qualify for the Fifth Round for the eighth consecutive season, whereas Middlesbrough are looking to qualify for the Last 16 for the first time since 2016-17 season.
Team News
Eric Bailly is ruled for Manchester United with a swollen ankle after seeing his international duty end early following Ivory Coast’s exit from 2022 Africa Cup of Nations during the Round of 16 stage.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka (illness), Luke Shaw (hamstring), Paul Pogba (quad) and Jadon Sancho (personal) could also be in contention.
Jesse Lingard, Edinson Cavani, Mason Greenwood (all personal) and Victor Lindelof (illness) are ruled out.
Middlesbrough will be without Riley McGree following a positive Coronavirus test whilst on international duty for Australia.
Sammy Ameobi, Darnell Fisher and Marc Bola all remain absent with knee injuries.
Stat Attack
- Man Utd have lost three of 14 previous FA Cup meetings against Middlesbrough (W7, D4 L3), including their only clash when Utd were formerly known as Newton Heath in 1894.
- Middlesbrough have won just one previous away FA Cup visit to Man Utd (W1, D2, L6).
- Utd have won one of two previous Fourth Round ties against Middlesbrough (W1, L1), which came in January 2005 at home after losing away three years earlier on Teesside.
- Man Utd have won three of their last four home matches in the FA Cup by 1-0 results, with the winning goal in those 1-0 victories all coming from Scott McTominay.
- Boro have failed to keep clean sheets in any of their last five away FA Cup ties dating back to February 2015, when they lost 2-0 at Arsenal in the Fifth Round (W1, L4).
Prediction
Man Utd come into this game off the back of a confidence boosting league win over West Ham but wasted chances remain a concern, amidst great movement on and off the ball complete with excellent defensive pressing when out of possession which could be key here.
Middlesbrough meanwhile haven’t had a two-week break unlike Utd so should be right up for this clash given that they have lost just one of their last 10 games, plus their manager – Chris Wilder won on his last visit to Old Trafford when he was in charge of Sheffield United last season.
Utd though should be wary of Boro’s aggressive style of play complete with pace and movement on top of long balls, which could cause issues if Utd’s defence aren’t focused so I am expecting a tough scrap here between both teams.
Utd’s superior quality though should be enough to sneak a home win but this shouldn’t be an easy task by any stretch for both teams, although Boro will know they can afford to relax more as underdogs with a near 10k away support to boot so will be a dangerous team to beat.
Prediction: Manchester United 2-1 Middlesbrough
Result: Manchester United 1-1 Middlesbrough (Middlesbrough win 8-7 on penalties!!)