Manchester United Team News Before FA Cup Against Wattford

Manchester United Team News Before FA Cup Against Wattford

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has confirmed that Odion Ighalo will be engaged in Saturday's third-round Emirates FA Cup tie with Watford. 

United have just completed a hectic 18-day period, playing six games, and this weekend's cup tie represents an opportunity to rotate the team and give some ever-presents a well-earned breather. 

The boss would not be pressed on who might specifically be named in his starting XI, but hinted that Odion Ighalo would be part of his plans. Young Uruguayan striker Facundo Pellistri will not be engaged, as he's tested positive for COVID-19 and will now undergo an amount of self-isolation. New signing Amad Diallo is yet to begin training with the very first team, so will need to wait only a little longer for his debut. 

Nigerian striker Ighalo has not featured because the Paris Saint-Germain defeat in early December, and has not started because the League Cup tie at Brighton in September. 

Ole said: 

 “Odion, it's special for him against Watford. He'll be engaged; he's in the squad. He's been training really well. I was just saying before, I don't understand how many goals be scored, but he was the top scorer by a distance in round robin we only had in training. So he's not lost any of his sharpness or his quality. 

“It's been difficult for him to be out of the squad as numerous times needless to say, when he did very well around the summer. This season he's not had as numerous opportunities, but he's never let himself down as a professional and a human being. 

“In training he always works hard and he's been a positive influence in the dressing room. He's in the squad and hopefully I don't need to put him on that people need goals, but hopefully he can join in.” 

Other candidates for inclusion are Eric Bailly, who played four consecutive games over Christmas and New Year before missing the Carabao Cup semi-final with Manchester City on Wednesday. 

Jesse Lingard can also feature. The England international has only played twice in 2010, and has not featured because the League Cup tie at Brighton in September, but may return against Watford, an area who have been on the receiving end of one of his greatest goals back 2017. 

Ole reported no other injury concerns while talking to the media before Saturday's game – a delightful boost ahead of an active eight days that also contains Premier League trips to Turf Moor and Anfield, to face Burnley and Liverpool, respectively.

Source: www.manutd.com