FA Cup: Manchester United Have the Taste

Manchester United vs West Ham United

Well, Manchester United have ended their six-year wait for a trophy with a 2-0 win in the Carabao Cup final and Red Devils fans think this is the start of something bigger.

The win over Newcastle United, who had the lion’s share of possession in the Wembley showcase, and more shots on goal, sparked celebrations in Salford of the like we haven’t seen in over a decade. Erik Ten Hag’s team were clinical in their performance, making the most of their chances and, as former Red Devil Gary Neville says, this group of players could be quite dangerous with a winners’ medal around their necks.

And now they turn their attention to the FA Cup and a Round of 16 clash against West Ham United, which brings them together with former boss David Moyes.

While Manchester United were re-opening their trophy cabinet this weekend the Hammers hammered Nottingham Forest on Saturday to climb out of the Premier League relegation zone, and their confidence levels will have grown.

The FA Cup 2023 betting odds, here at SBOTOP, make the Red Devils second favourites, at a price of 4.50, to lift the FA Cup while the Hammers are joint fifth favourites at 21.00. And at 3.22 to get through this tie, West Ham are clear underdogs with Manchester United at 1.31 to make the last eight.

Talking Points

World-class Casemiro is enjoying himself

The Red Devils’ midfield dynamo, Casemiro, who scored the opener in the Carabao Cup final, has two goals in this competition and he is the man West Ham will be most wary of. Any concern that the Brazilian ace headed to Old Trafford for one final payday, or to take it easy after his transfer from the trophy collectors at Real Madrid, has been totally trashed as he has instilled the winning mentality back into Old Trafford.

Alongside former Los Blancos colleague Raphael Varane he has helped to make Old Trafford a venue to be feared once again. He is the all-round midfielder with defensive nous and the ability to break up play, a superb array of passing and a taste for goals, much like a previous Old Trafford enforcer, Roy Keane.

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Hammers are looking to maintain momentum

Victories over Everton and Nottingham Forest and impressive draws with Newcastle United and Chelsea have pulled the Hammers away from the drop zone; and with just one defeat in the last six, in all competitions, the East Enders will be keen to keep the momentum going.

West Ham’s January arrival Danny Ings will be ready to produce some FA Cup 2023 highlights after he opened his Hammers account with a brace in the 4-0 win over Nottingham Forest. Ings loves playing in Claret and Blue having represented Burnley, Aston Villa and now West Ham United in these bold colours. He just has Scunthorpe United to go to make a full set. But the Northern Iron are currently in the National League so a move there for Ings looks unlikely!

West Ham United will aim to oust Manchester United in the 5th round of the FA Cup — West Ham United’s Danny Ings celebrates scoring their second goal against Nottingham Forest in the Premier League

The arrival of a proven goal scorer has taken the weight off the shoulders of the likes of attacking midfielders Jarrod Bowen and Said Benrahma, and has given the Hammers a lethal edge to go with the quality they have in deeper positions. Declan Rice continues to dominate the midfield while Nayef Aguerd has emerged as one of the best centre-backs in the English game.

Of course, Moyes had a short stint as manager of Manchester United as the immediate successor to Sir Alex Ferguson and, while he didn’t last long, he fared as well as anyone, in the Old Trafford hot seat over the following decade. Ten Hag seems to be making progress where Moyes couldn’t in the short time he was allowed and the determined Scot has a point to prove.

History

Manchester United have won the FA Cup 12 times, only Arsenal have won more while West Ham are three times winners, the last time in 1980 when the legendary Trevor Brooking scored a rare header to beat the Gunners.

Manchester United have had 38 wins in this encounter, to West Ham’s nine in all competitions since 1993, and they have won five of the last six. And we have a statistical curiosity in this fixture with five of the last six meetings resulting in a 1-0 win, four for Manchester United and they won the other game 2-1.

The Hammers are in decent form with three wins, two draws and a single defeat over the past six games but Manchester United are unbeaten in ten games and in 18 at Old Trafford.