United hopes rest on FA Cup replay
After what has been at best a disappointing season at Old Trafford, the upcoming FA Cup replay against West Ham United perhaps provides the final opportunity for Manchester United to achieve some form of success this year.
With Louis Van Gaal also looking to the famous competition as the last chance saloon in terms of his personal job security, a trip to East London would certainly not have been the preferred destination for such a fledgling team.
After the draw for the FA Cup Semi Finals determined that the winner of the replay would face off against Eveton, after the Mersyside club defeated Chelsea in the previous round, this years competition is certainly one of the most competitive in many a year. With no clear favourite emerging from the remaining teams, successors to Arsenal’s trophy could well come in the form of a surprise candidate, with the Watford and Crystal Palace completing the draw.
With Van Gaal’s side consistently failing to deliver when push comes to shove over the past two seasons, can Man Utd still interest the betting public? The Old Trafford outfit are currently 5/1 on with Betway to go all the way in this years FA Cup.
Scheduled just two days after a derby day trip to face fiercest rivals Manchester City, United’s paper thin squad looks set to be stretched to the limits once again. The return of first teamers in the shape of Ashley Young, Bastian Schweinsteiger and Antonio Valencia are all certainly welcome for United, who have embedded youngsters into the side this year more through necessity rather than choice.
The likes of Marcus Rashford, Cameron Borthwick-Jackson and Guillermo Varela have all displayed maturity beyond their years when called upon this season. Despite this, Van Gaal’s decision to trim the squad through the sales of Robin Van Persie et al, continues to haunt him given results throughout the campaign
The mounting pressure on the Dutchmen during his time with United has led to continued speculation regarding his long term future. Reports of talks taking place between former Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho and United officials are seemingly not going away, with the likelihood of the most successful manager of his generation heading to Old Trafford increasing by the day. Betway offer odds of 1.25/1 for Mourinho to be in the United hot seat come the start of next season.