West Ham or Derby County? Manchester United FA Cup opponent confirmed

Manchester United will face West Ham in the FA Cup fifth round after the London club defeated Derby County in round four.

After the two sides went to battle on Monday evening, West Ham emerged victorious with a 2-0 victory over Derby County, entering themselves as Manchester United and Erik ten Hag’s next FA Cup opponents.

Michail Antonio and Jarrod Bowen scored for the Hammers.

The draw will take place at Old Trafford on the week commencing 27 February, immediately after when the Carabao Cup final is set to be played out – with United odds on to reach said final after their semi-final first leg 3-0 victory over Nottingham Forest on last Wednesday.

The second leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final is set to take place this coming Wednesday evening, with Ten Hag expected to play a rotated side.

Manchester United’s FA Cup journey so far…

Manchester United’s route to the FA Cup fifth round started with a third round 3-1 victory over Everton at Old Trafford. The fixture got off to a fast start, with Antony scoring inside five minutes.

However, Connor Coady quickly responded for the Blues, knocking home in the 14th minute – although it was his own goal (created by Marcus Rashford) that handed the lead back to United in the second half, with Rashford converting a penalty in the dying moments to seal victory.

The fourth round saw United earn an identical result: another 3-1 victory at Old Trafford, this time Championship side Reading falling victim to the Red Devils.

This victory was a tense affair in the first half, with the sides going into half-time level. Although United dominated the opening 45 minutes, Reading actually had the best chance of the half, with Tyrell Malacia caught napping at the back post right before the whistle blew.

The second half saw two wonderful goals from Casemiro in the space of four minutes backed up by a lovely flick from Fred, before Reading scored a corner to grab a consolation goal.

West Ham’s FA Cup journey so far…

West Ham, in the third round, defeated Premier League and London opposition Brentford, with former Bees player Said Benrahma grabbing the winning goal in the 78th minute against his old club to send the Hammers to play Derby County, who they defeated 2-0.

The fixture will be the third FA Cup match in a row this season in which United have been drawn at home, and adding to a further run in all competitions in which United have been played a one-match domestic knockout fixture at Old Trafford since December 2020.