Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag said (jokingly or half-jokingly, or kind of serious) yesterday that he’s already on to the next cup.ย
Having ended the club’s mini-drought for trophies (just like he said he would do), with a League Cup final win over Newcastle, the five year silverware hiatus at MUFC is now kaput. Five years isn’t a “drought” for most clubs, but United is a very special place. They are held to a much higher standard there.
Manchester United vs West Ham United FYIs
Kickoff: Wed March 1, 7:45 pm, Old Trafford
Competition: FA Cup 5th Round/Round of 16
Team News: Unitedย ย ย West Ham
Starting XI Predictions: Unitedย ย ย West Ham
Transatlantic Passage: How the Premier League Redefined Soccer in America: LINK
Fun Fact: In the FA Cup’s current format (since 1925-26), no club has advanced from the fifth round more often than Man United (41)
Stat Pack: West Ham have only earned one victory (D4L15) in their last 20 trips to Old Trafford across all competitions.
The next cup is already here, as United will host West Ham United, a foe they have dominated in recent years, tomorrow night in a FA Cup round of 16 showdown.
Man United Team News
Christian Eriksen (ankle) remains out until about May while Donny van de Beek (knee) is done for 2022-23. The only new injury concern/team news item revolves around Anthony Martial, who is moving closer towards a return but is still a doubt for this clash.
He’s been absent for close month with a hip problem and is a doubt for Wednesday’s contest.
Paul M. Banks is the owner/manager ofย The Sports Bank.ย Heโs also theย author of โTransatlantic Passage: How the English Premier League Redefined Soccer in America,โ andย โNo, I Canโt Get You Free Tickets: Lessons Learned From a Life in the Sports Media Industry.โ
Heโs written for numerous publications, including theย New York Daily News,ย Sports Illustratedย and theย Chicago Tribune.ย He regularly appears onย NTD Newsย andย WGN News Now.ย Follow the websiteย onย Twitterย andย Instagram.
