Derby County vs Manchester United
English FA Cup
Date: Thursday, 5 March 2020
Kick-Off at 19:45 UK
Venue: Pride Park Stadium, Derby
Match preview
That result leaves United 5th in the Premier League, a place that could guarantee the Champions League next season as Manchester City's two-year ban from European football.
Goalkeeper David de Gea, who are guilty for the opener Everton at the weekend, has come under increased scrutiny for his performances this season, but the Red Devils have kept an impressive six clean sheets in their last eight matches in all competitions, only two delivery goals within that.
Solskjaer's side overcome Wolverhampton Wanderers and Tranmere Rovers to reach the fifth round, and the last to feel the glory of the FA Cup in the 2015-16 campaign, beating Crystal Palace 2-1 in the final at Wembley.
In addition, United has won eight FA Cup tie against Derby, and will be aiming to build on their impressive run of form in front of sell-out crowd at Pride Park.
Instead, Phillip Cocu has seen his team's playoff hopes diminished in recent weeks with only one win in their last five, although it enjoyed a remarkable run of results over the Christmas period.
The Rams have recorded 12 wins, 12 draws and 12 losses in the league this season, and therefore it only seems appropriate that the clashes with the FA Cup winners 12 times await them on Thursday.
Derby could only boast one FA Cup success to their name, beat Charlton Athletic 4-1 in the final 1945-1946 season. The Rams have not advanced further than the fifth round since the 1998-1999 campaign, where they were eliminated by Arsenal in the quarter-finals.
Cocu sides recorded victories against Palace and Northampton Town to set up a clash with England, who can look forward to a reunion with the all-time leading scorer Wayne Rooney.
The latest meeting between the two sides came in EFL Cup third round last season, with then-manager Frank Lampard guided Derby to win the penalty shootout 8-7 after a dramatic 2-2 draw at Old Trafford
Key Statistics
Derby County have lost eight of the FA Cup tie against Manchester United, most recently in the third round in 2018. The last time they beat the Red Devils in the competition was in the quarter-finals of the campaign 1896-1897.
Derby are looking to reach the FA Cup quarter-finals for the first time since 1998-1999 - Rams have lost their last five matches their fifth round.
Manchester United has grown from each of 10 of the FA Cup fifth round of their last match, reached the quarterfinals in each of the last five campaigns.
Manchester United has grown from 45 of the last 46 FA Cup ties against a side from a lower division (including the final), just failed against Leeds United in January 2010 in the run.
Derby County captain Wayne Rooney has never scored in six appearances against his former team Manchester United. The last player to score against Manchester United's FA Cup having previously played for the Red Devils is Danny Welbeck to Arsenal in March 2015.
Team News
Wayne Rooney will face his former club as Manchester United's trip to Pride Park to face Derby in the FA Cup.
But the Rams without Duane Holmes, who is out with an ankle injury, while Tom Huddlestone also sidelined with a hamstring problem.
Krystian Bielik remain sidelined for the rest of the season after he suffered a serious knee injury in December, but Ikechi Anya approached at full fitness after a long-term calf injury.
Manchester United duo Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Daniel James set to miss the trip.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer expect the pair to miss the fifth round match with "little niggles".
James was not present at Everton on Sunday, but Wan-Bissaka starts. Marcus Rashford (back) and Paul Pogba (ankle) remains sidelined, while Tim Fosu-Mensah and Axel Tuanzebe they stepped back to fitness for United U23s on Monday.
Prediction
This could create an entertaining cup tie. Derby has shown good attacking intent since the turn of the year and they will take a fearless approach in this game. Rooney will take center stage, which can bring out the best in him. His record since arriving back at the beach has been impressive and he has nothing left to prove. There should be goals in this one. Manchester United should have the quality to progress, but it will not be an easy night for them.
Derby County 1-3 Manchester United
