Can Rooney guide Derby to FA Cup upset against Man Utd?
Derby County vs Manchester United - 05/03/2020
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In the last of eight FA Cup fifth round ties being played this week, Derby County welcome Manchester United to the iPro Stadium on Thursday night.
Championship side Derby beat top-flight opponents Crystal Palace in the third round to set up a seemingly straightforward fourth round clash with League Two outfit Northampton.
However, the Cobblers held Derby to a goalless draw at Sixfields Stadium, so the Rams needed a 4-2 reply win to book their place in the last sixteen.
Phillip Cocu’s side ended a four-game winless run by beating Sheffield United at the weekend. Tom Lawrence bagged a brace at Hillsborough, while Jason Knight also got on the scoresheet.
But Derby’s unpredictable form means the club has failed to make their mark of the Championship this season. The Rams currently sit 13th in the second tier – eleven points clear of the relegation zone and eight points outside the top six.
Interestingly, Derby have the third-best home record in the division. But the Rams have struggled on the road this season, and only four clubs have picked up fewer away points in the Championship.
Manchester United also needed a reply to reach this stage of the competition. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men eventually got the better of Wolves over two games before smashing Tranmere 6-0 in the previous round.
An upturn in form has seen Man Utd go unbeaten in their previous eight games in all competitions. United have beaten Manchester City and Chelsea in recent weeks, while thrashing Club Brugge 5-0 in the Europa League last week.
A 1-1 draw with Everton last time out means Man Utd are 5th in the Premier League table – three points shy of fourth-place Chelsea.
Derby got the better of Man Utd the last time the two teams met, with the Rams claiming a penalty shootout win in last season’s Carabao Cup.
Having said that, Derby have lost their last eight FA Cup ties against Man Utd. You have to go all the way back to 1896/97 to find Derby’s last FA Cup win over United.
Looking at Derby’s team news, Duane Holmes continues his recovery from an ankle injury, while Ikechi Anya, Krystian Bielik and Tom Huddlestone remain sidelined. However, Former Red Devil and Man Utd legend Wayne Rooney will be eager to face his old employers.
Meanwhile, Paul Pogba and Marcus Rashford are long-term absentees for Man Utd, but Daniel James could return after missing the draw with Everton at the weekend.
Man Utd’s defensive frailties were exposed last time out, so Derby will be confident of getting on the scoresheet. Having said that, United should have enough quality to outscore the Championship club.
Forebet predicts that this will be a high-scoring encounter, with Man Utd expected to get the better of Derby by scoring over 2.5 goals.
Home team
Away team
Pred
Correct score
Avg. goals
Weather conditions
Coef.
Score
Live
coef.
FA
222949
2
1 - 3
2.93
1°
1.54
6.31
4.25
1.54
-1
-1
1
0 - 3(0 - 2)
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