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Its not that time again.
Its FA Cup Time...............
This weekend marks 13 weeks since Chris Wilder took over Coaching responsibilities at The Riverside.
Following a draw at West Brom, it was on the way to the train when someone announced "Its Wilder!" to the crowd of fans in red shirts on the station.
Immediately, the atmosphere changed - the usual mumble about missed opportunities and what might have been - the volume increased to what might be in the future.
About who knew about Wilder`s Management?
About his success at Sheffield United and how he turned average players into good players, and how he had taken players from League one to the Premiership.
Who would he get rid of?
Who would he keep?
Who would he bring in?
The train journey into New Street was too fast to answer all the questions.
Since then - we`ve lost to Preston and Blackburn.
We won games we would have previously lost.
We`ve come back from the brink like against Reading and Blackpool.
We`ve been on a much bigger train ride, where the crowds are not only holding up, but increasing.
We`ve witnessed the rebirth of players: the usual porridge of defensive games and losing our grip in the second half has disappeared.
Some have moved on and we`ve seen quality transfers and loanees - in.
It feels great to support a Manager who doesnt "not want to lose" but actually wants to go "full tilt" to win!
When last did we have a Manager who regularly puts 4 forwards on the pitch, to push the opposition all the way to the 90?
Today we are not "underdogs" or "plucky Boro". Chris is not the sort to make Wilder predictions.
One thing is for sure: he said yesterday we are not here for a "sight-seeing tour" or to stand in awe of the stadia.
It wont be because we are "grateful" to play in ther "big boy`s" garden that we dont give a 100% today.
Grass is to be played on and almost 10,000 Teessiders will be right behind the lads.
We wont worry too much about the opposition - all we are going out for is a victory - one more goal than them.
We can do it.
Come On Boro!
www.sportsmole.co.uk
By Matt Law, Football Editor | 1d
English
Manchester United will be looking to secure their spot in the fifth round of the FA Cup when they welcome Championship outfit Middlesbrough to Old Trafford on Friday night.
The Red Devils beat fellow Premier League side Aston Villa 1-0 to progress to this round of the competition, while Middlesbrough recorded a 3-2 victory over League Two team Mansfield Town.
© Reuters
Man United made it three wins in their last four matches in all competitions when they beat West Ham United 1-0 before the break, with Marcus Rashford's last-gasp winner securing a vital three points for the Red Devils, who currently occupy fourth position in the Premier League table.
Ralf Rangnick's side also overcame Brentford in the league on January 19, while they booked their spot in the fourth round of this season's FA Cup courtesy of a 1-0 success over Aston Villa at Old Trafford.
Off-the-field matters involving Mason Greenwood means that the build-up to this match has been overshadowed, but the players will be raring to go following a short break, and the Red Devils are still fighting on three fronts this season, with the first leg of their last-16 Champions League contest with Atletico Madrid due to take place at Wanda Metropolitano on February 23.
Man United are the second-most successful side in the history of the FA Cup, winning the competition on 12 occasions, the last of which was in 2016, while they lost in the quarter-finals to Leicester City last season and Chelsea in the semi-finals of the 2019-20 campaign.
Friday's contest will be the first time that the 20-time English champions have faced Middlesbrough since a Premier League contest in March 2017, with the Red Devils running out 3-1 winners at the Riverside Stadium courtesy of goals from Marouane Fellaini, Jesse Lingard and Antonio Valencia.
© Reuters
Middlesbrough will certainly be the underdogs heading into Friday's contest, but the visitors should be full of confidence, having in excellent form since the end of November.
Indeed, Boro have won eight of their last 10 matches in all competitions, suffering just one defeat in the process, which includes a 3-2 success over Mansfield in the third round of the FA Cup on January 8.
Chris Wilder's side beat Coventry City 1-0 on January 29 to move into sixth spot in the Championship table, and they will certainly have their eye on a possible return to the Premier League for next season.
Wilder's impact at the Riverside Stadium has been huge, winning eight of his 12 games in charge, and while the league is the priority for the 54-year-old this season, the chance to progress to the fifth round of the FA Cup at the expense of Man United is not an opportunity that comes around too often.
Middlesbrough - back in Championship action against Queens Park Rangers on February 9 - have never won the FA Cup, but they did reach the final in 1997, suffering a 2-0 defeat to Chelsea at Wembley.
Manchester United form (all competitions):
© Reuters
Man United interim head coach Rangnick has said that Paul Pogba and Luke Shaw will both be involved on Friday following spells out, while Aaron Wan-Bissaka should be available following a period on the sidelines through illness.
Jadon Sancho should also be included in the squad following personal issues, but Edinson Cavani will not feature due to his involvement for Uruguay over the international break, while Victor Lindelof (illness), Eric Bailly (ankle) and Jesse Lingard (personal) are all out.
Greenwood has been suspended by the club and will not be involved for the foreseeable future, so Rashford could feature on the right, while Nemanja Matic and Anthony Elanga should both start.
Rangnick will certainly have one eye on the Premier League clash with Burnley on February 8, but Cristiano Ronaldo is expected to start for the Red Devils, while David de Gea could retain his spot between the sticks despite the presence of Dean Henderson, who has hardly been involved this term.
As for Middlesbrough, new signing Riley McGree has tested positive for coronavirus while on international duty with Australia, so he will not be involved in this match.
Sammy Ameobi, Darnell Fisher and Marc Bola remain on the sidelines, while James Lea Siliki is still on international duty, but on-loan Arsenal striker Folarin Balogun is expected to make his first start for the club.
Wilder is likely to select a strong side at Old Trafford, with Andraz Sporar potentially joining Balogun in the final third of the field, but the likes of Duncan Watmore, Lee Peltier and Martin Payero will also be hoping to be given minutes in the FA Cup contest.
Manchester United possible starting lineup:
De Gea; Dalot, Varane, Maguire, Shaw; Matic, McTominay; Rashford, Fernandes, Elanga; Ronaldo
Middlesbrough possible starting lineup:
Lumley; McNair, Bamba, Fry; Jones, Howson, Crooks, Tavernier, Taylor; Sporar, Balogun
Red Sneakers
[Or - How United only just made it]
Man United were below-par again but they did just enough to beat Aston Villa 1-0 and reach the fourth round of the FA Cup.
Scott McTominay’s header after eight minutes proved to be the only goal of the game, as Ralf Rangnick’s side set up a home tie with Middlesbrough in early February.
Villa were certainly the better time at Old Trafford, and had a Danny Ings goal harshly ruled out in the second-half, but will regret their lack of clinical edge.
Rangnick’s side came into the match after a poor performance to lose to Wolves last time out, and there was plenty to be concerned about once agin.
United made a fast start to the match though, and they got their reward in the eighth minute. They had a corner cleared out to Fred, who put a brilliant ball back into the box and McTominay rose highest in the box to head home.
But Villa responded really well to going behind. Emi Buendia dragged an effort wide of the far post, while John McGinn saw his fierce strike from 20 yards out saved by David de Gea.
Ollie Watkins came closest to getting his side back on terms, as he pounced on a terrible touch from Victor Lindelof to burst forward, chop back inside but then saw his effort cannon off the bar.
Despite their defensive frailties, United still looked a threat themselves on the attack. McTominay had a couple of shots from range, before Marcus Rashford had an effort cleared off the line by Matty Cash in the last seconds of the first-half.
The visitors thought they were level five minutes into the second-half, when Danny Ings bundled in from close range. However, after a long VAR review, it was ruled out for an earlier foul on Edinson Cavani.
REUTERS
Watkins then had the ball in the end too , but the offside flag went up after Ings was beyond the last defender as he dinked it through to his strike partner.
Ezri Konsa and Cash had efforts saved, while Watkins saw a strike curl just wide of the post, as Villa completely dominated the second-half.
United managed to weather the storm though, and the visitors were unable to have the same sort of attacking threat in the final 15 minutes.
It was another below-par performance that will concern Rangnick, but he and his team this time had the comfort of reaching the fourth round of the FA Cup.
Beyond Our Wilderest Dreams
Its FA Cup Time...............
This weekend marks 13 weeks since Chris Wilder took over Coaching responsibilities at The Riverside.
Following a draw at West Brom, it was on the way to the train when someone announced "Its Wilder!" to the crowd of fans in red shirts on the station.
Immediately, the atmosphere changed - the usual mumble about missed opportunities and what might have been - the volume increased to what might be in the future.
About who knew about Wilder`s Management?
About his success at Sheffield United and how he turned average players into good players, and how he had taken players from League one to the Premiership.
Who would he get rid of?
Who would he keep?
Who would he bring in?
The train journey into New Street was too fast to answer all the questions.
Since then - we`ve lost to Preston and Blackburn.
We won games we would have previously lost.
We`ve come back from the brink like against Reading and Blackpool.
We`ve been on a much bigger train ride, where the crowds are not only holding up, but increasing.
We`ve witnessed the rebirth of players: the usual porridge of defensive games and losing our grip in the second half has disappeared.
Some have moved on and we`ve seen quality transfers and loanees - in.
It feels great to support a Manager who doesnt "not want to lose" but actually wants to go "full tilt" to win!
When last did we have a Manager who regularly puts 4 forwards on the pitch, to push the opposition all the way to the 90?
Today we are not "underdogs" or "plucky Boro". Chris is not the sort to make Wilder predictions.
One thing is for sure: he said yesterday we are not here for a "sight-seeing tour" or to stand in awe of the stadia.
It wont be because we are "grateful" to play in ther "big boy`s" garden that we dont give a 100% today.
Grass is to be played on and almost 10,000 Teessiders will be right behind the lads.
We wont worry too much about the opposition - all we are going out for is a victory - one more goal than them.
We can do it.
Come On Boro!
Match Preview:
Manchester United vs. Middlesbrough - prediction, team news, lineups
Manchester United vs. Middlesbrough - prediction, team news, lineups
Preview: Man Utd vs. Middlesbrough - prediction, team news
Sports Mole previews Friday's FA Cup clash between Manchester
Manchester United will be looking to secure their spot in the fifth round of the FA Cup when they welcome Championship outfit Middlesbrough to Old Trafford on Friday night.
The Red Devils beat fellow Premier League side Aston Villa 1-0 to progress to this round of the competition, while Middlesbrough recorded a 3-2 victory over League Two team Mansfield Town.
Match preview
Man United made it three wins in their last four matches in all competitions when they beat West Ham United 1-0 before the break, with Marcus Rashford's last-gasp winner securing a vital three points for the Red Devils, who currently occupy fourth position in the Premier League table.
Ralf Rangnick's side also overcame Brentford in the league on January 19, while they booked their spot in the fourth round of this season's FA Cup courtesy of a 1-0 success over Aston Villa at Old Trafford.
Off-the-field matters involving Mason Greenwood means that the build-up to this match has been overshadowed, but the players will be raring to go following a short break, and the Red Devils are still fighting on three fronts this season, with the first leg of their last-16 Champions League contest with Atletico Madrid due to take place at Wanda Metropolitano on February 23.
Man United are the second-most successful side in the history of the FA Cup, winning the competition on 12 occasions, the last of which was in 2016, while they lost in the quarter-finals to Leicester City last season and Chelsea in the semi-finals of the 2019-20 campaign.
Friday's contest will be the first time that the 20-time English champions have faced Middlesbrough since a Premier League contest in March 2017, with the Red Devils running out 3-1 winners at the Riverside Stadium courtesy of goals from Marouane Fellaini, Jesse Lingard and Antonio Valencia.
Middlesbrough will certainly be the underdogs heading into Friday's contest, but the visitors should be full of confidence, having in excellent form since the end of November.
Indeed, Boro have won eight of their last 10 matches in all competitions, suffering just one defeat in the process, which includes a 3-2 success over Mansfield in the third round of the FA Cup on January 8.
Chris Wilder's side beat Coventry City 1-0 on January 29 to move into sixth spot in the Championship table, and they will certainly have their eye on a possible return to the Premier League for next season.
Wilder's impact at the Riverside Stadium has been huge, winning eight of his 12 games in charge, and while the league is the priority for the 54-year-old this season, the chance to progress to the fifth round of the FA Cup at the expense of Man United is not an opportunity that comes around too often.
Middlesbrough - back in Championship action against Queens Park Rangers on February 9 - have never won the FA Cup, but they did reach the final in 1997, suffering a 2-0 defeat to Chelsea at Wembley.
Manchester United form (all competitions):
- W
- L
- W
- D
- W
- W
- W
- W
- W
- W
- L
- W
Team News
Man United interim head coach Rangnick has said that Paul Pogba and Luke Shaw will both be involved on Friday following spells out, while Aaron Wan-Bissaka should be available following a period on the sidelines through illness.
Jadon Sancho should also be included in the squad following personal issues, but Edinson Cavani will not feature due to his involvement for Uruguay over the international break, while Victor Lindelof (illness), Eric Bailly (ankle) and Jesse Lingard (personal) are all out.
Greenwood has been suspended by the club and will not be involved for the foreseeable future, so Rashford could feature on the right, while Nemanja Matic and Anthony Elanga should both start.
Rangnick will certainly have one eye on the Premier League clash with Burnley on February 8, but Cristiano Ronaldo is expected to start for the Red Devils, while David de Gea could retain his spot between the sticks despite the presence of Dean Henderson, who has hardly been involved this term.
As for Middlesbrough, new signing Riley McGree has tested positive for coronavirus while on international duty with Australia, so he will not be involved in this match.
Sammy Ameobi, Darnell Fisher and Marc Bola remain on the sidelines, while James Lea Siliki is still on international duty, but on-loan Arsenal striker Folarin Balogun is expected to make his first start for the club.
Wilder is likely to select a strong side at Old Trafford, with Andraz Sporar potentially joining Balogun in the final third of the field, but the likes of Duncan Watmore, Lee Peltier and Martin Payero will also be hoping to be given minutes in the FA Cup contest.
Manchester United possible starting lineup:
De Gea; Dalot, Varane, Maguire, Shaw; Matic, McTominay; Rashford, Fernandes, Elanga; Ronaldo
Middlesbrough possible starting lineup:
Lumley; McNair, Bamba, Fry; Jones, Howson, Crooks, Tavernier, Taylor; Sporar, Balogun
We say: Manchester United 2-1 Middlesbrough
Middlesbrough will head to Old Trafford full of confidence, and the Championship side are more than capable of making this a tricky affair for Man United. The Red Devils showed plenty of positive signs against West Ham last time out, though, and we are backing them to progress to the fifth round of the competition.
[Or - How United only just made it]
Man United 1-0 Aston Villa: Scott McTominay sends below-par United side into FA Cup fourth round
Man United were below-par again but they did just enough to beat Aston Villa 1-0 and reach the fourth round of the FA Cup.
Scott McTominay’s header after eight minutes proved to be the only goal of the game, as Ralf Rangnick’s side set up a home tie with Middlesbrough in early February.
Villa were certainly the better time at Old Trafford, and had a Danny Ings goal harshly ruled out in the second-half, but will regret their lack of clinical edge.
Rangnick’s side came into the match after a poor performance to lose to Wolves last time out, and there was plenty to be concerned about once agin.
United made a fast start to the match though, and they got their reward in the eighth minute. They had a corner cleared out to Fred, who put a brilliant ball back into the box and McTominay rose highest in the box to head home.
But Villa responded really well to going behind. Emi Buendia dragged an effort wide of the far post, while John McGinn saw his fierce strike from 20 yards out saved by David de Gea.
Ollie Watkins came closest to getting his side back on terms, as he pounced on a terrible touch from Victor Lindelof to burst forward, chop back inside but then saw his effort cannon off the bar.
Despite their defensive frailties, United still looked a threat themselves on the attack. McTominay had a couple of shots from range, before Marcus Rashford had an effort cleared off the line by Matty Cash in the last seconds of the first-half.
The visitors thought they were level five minutes into the second-half, when Danny Ings bundled in from close range. However, after a long VAR review, it was ruled out for an earlier foul on Edinson Cavani.
Watkins then had the ball in the end too , but the offside flag went up after Ings was beyond the last defender as he dinked it through to his strike partner.
Ezri Konsa and Cash had efforts saved, while Watkins saw a strike curl just wide of the post, as Villa completely dominated the second-half.
United managed to weather the storm though, and the visitors were unable to have the same sort of attacking threat in the final 15 minutes.
It was another below-par performance that will concern Rangnick, but he and his team this time had the comfort of reaching the fourth round of the FA Cup.
Beyond Our Wilderest Dreams
Chris Wilder plots ‘dangerous night’ for Middlesbrough’s FA Cup tie with Man Utd
The Boro boss led former club Sheffield United to victory at Old Trafford on his last visit.
Chris Wilder has told his players to forget about swapping shirts with Manchester United’s superstars as he plots a “dangerous night” for Middlesbrough’s FA Cup fourth-round opponents.
The Sky Bet Championship promotion-chasers head for Old Trafford on Friday evening in good form having lost only once in their last 10 games in all competitions.
Manager Wilder, who led former club Sheffield United to a shock Premier League victory on his last visit to the red half of Manchester, knows Boro will be up against it against one of English football’s aristocrats, but is demanding they run out believing they can make it to the fifth round.
The Sky Bet Championship promotion-chasers head for Old Trafford on Friday evening in good form having lost only once in their last 10 games in all competitions.
Manager Wilder, who led former club Sheffield United to a shock Premier League victory on his last visit to the red half of Manchester, knows Boro will be up against it against one of English football’s aristocrats, but is demanding they run out believing they can make it to the fifth round.
Middlesbrough manager Chris Wilder is plotting Manchester United’s FA Cup downfall (Richard Sellers/PA)
He said: “They’ve got some fabulous individuals and they can hurt you – but hurt three-quarters of the Premier League, if not more, and in Europe as well. They have a huge array of talent to choose from.
“But it’s not a sightseeing tour from our players, it’s not a shirt-swapping situation. I don’t want people to go into Old Trafford and enjoy the visit.
“I want the players to play well, I want us to give a good account of ourselves and make it really competitive, make it a dangerous night for Manchester United – and if we play well, I believe we can do.
“If we don’t, then it will be a comfortable night for Manchester United and nobody wants that, me included.”
“Every opportunity is an opportunity to measure and see how far we've come. This is where we want to be.”
- Middlesbrough manager Chris Wilder
“But it’s not a sightseeing tour from our players, it’s not a shirt-swapping situation. I don’t want people to go into Old Trafford and enjoy the visit.
“I want the players to play well, I want us to give a good account of ourselves and make it really competitive, make it a dangerous night for Manchester United – and if we play well, I believe we can do.
“If we don’t, then it will be a comfortable night for Manchester United and nobody wants that, me included.”
“Every opportunity is an opportunity to measure and see how far we've come. This is where we want to be.”
- Middlesbrough manager Chris Wilder
The Teessiders currently lie in seventh place in the Championship table – outside the play-off places only by virtue of goal difference – and promotion back to the top flight remains the overwhelming priority.
Wilder said: “It’s an opportunity to pit ourselves against world-class players and a world-class football club that’s at the top table and wants to challenge for major honours.
“Every opportunity is an opportunity to measure and see how far we’ve come. This is where we want to be.
“Of course the club has had Premier League experience and the players want to go to Old Trafford and Anfield and the Emirates and the Etihad every other week and they want to host every club in the Premier League and be part of that.
Wilder said: “It’s an opportunity to pit ourselves against world-class players and a world-class football club that’s at the top table and wants to challenge for major honours.
“Every opportunity is an opportunity to measure and see how far we’ve come. This is where we want to be.
“Of course the club has had Premier League experience and the players want to go to Old Trafford and Anfield and the Emirates and the Etihad every other week and they want to host every club in the Premier League and be part of that.
“That’s where everybody wants to be and that has got to be a target and an ambition for everybody at the football club to try to achieve.”
Wilder will head for the dugout at Old Trafford having emerged on his last visit in January last year with three points, although ultimately they were not enough to keep the Blades in the top flight and the fact that they were won in front of empty stands because of Covid-19 restrictions took much of the gloss off the achievement.
He said: “It was in front of nobody, so for me it was a hollow victory, really, in a really difficult season. It’s a different sport. It’s not even a different game, it’s a different sport.”
Courtesty BT Sport [
Wilder will head for the dugout at Old Trafford having emerged on his last visit in January last year with three points, although ultimately they were not enough to keep the Blades in the top flight and the fact that they were won in front of empty stands because of Covid-19 restrictions took much of the gloss off the achievement.
He said: “It was in front of nobody, so for me it was a hollow victory, really, in a really difficult season. It’s a different sport. It’s not even a different game, it’s a different sport.”
Courtesty BT Sport [
