FA Cup 4th Round; Sunday, 29th January; Old Trafford, Manchester: KO: 4:00 pm BST (9:30 pm IST)
After managing to get past Marco Silva’s Hull City, even after a loss in the second leg, Manchester United set up a lip-smacking clash against Southampton in the final of the League Cup this season. However, the manager will now have to turn his attention towards the next domestic competition, the FA Cup. The Red Devils moved into the 4th round of the competition beating Reading comfortable in the previous round. They will now play Wigan Athletic at the Old Trafford this weekend to advance to the next round. Wigan beat Nottingham Forest at home in the previous round and will hope to put in a similar performance on the night but Manchester United are expected to get the business done on the night. Mourinho is expected to go with a strong lineup and here is the predicted lineup he might field for this game:
Team News:
Defender Eric Bailly remains unavailable as he is busy on international duty and remains the only absentee in the squad for this game.
Expected lineups (4-3-3):
Sergio Romero:
The Argentine shot-stopper has not got his chance in the league this season and this game is a good opportunity for him to prove himself.
Timothy Fosu-Mensah:
The young defender has been superb for United whenever called upon and Mourinho should stick with him for this game.
Chris Smalling:
Not the first choice anymore at the back for Mourinho, Smalling, should deputise in this FA Cup tie against Wigan.
Phil Jones:
The English defender is a mainstay at the back for United this season and is expected to keep his place in the side for this game.
Luke Shaw:
Coming back from an injury, Shaw is yet to start a game for United this year, but he will get his chance this weekend in the FA Cup.
Marouane Fellaini:
The Belgian international has been decent in a midfield role this season and is expected to start this game just in front of the defence for the Red Devils.
Bastian Schweinsteiger:
The veteran midfielder has been frozen out of the first-team in the league bu Mourinho but he is expected to start him, just for the 3rd time this season for this clash.
Jesse Lingard:
The young English winger has been on the fringes of the first team for a while now and will get his chance this weekend against Wigan.
Juan Mata:
The playmaker has not been able to get into the first team this season but the 4th round of the FA Cup should give him an opportunity to prove himself.
Marcus Rashford:
The youngster has not been able to repeat his performances from the start of the season but he will get a chance to get back to form this weekend.
Anthony Martial:
Jose Mourinho revealed that Martial will lead the attack for this game and he needs to have a decent one to give Manchester United a comfortable victory on the night.
