TRANMERE ROVERS V MANCHESTER UNITED
Sunday 26th January 2020 – A sell out in Birkenhead!
Lets be honest, when Micky Mellon’s ‘superwhites’ were 3-0 down at Vicarage Road on the opening weekend of the year, a replay in the tie was unimaginable. Never mind that Paul Mullin would score in extra time of the replay to knock Nigel Pearson’s Watford out of the FA Cup, to settle the game at a 2-1 win for the Rovers and to set up a tie against one of the greatest and most successful football clubs in the world in Manchester United. Aswell as setting this tie up, a lot of money would be given to Tranmere through the FA’s cup rewards. The FA have gave Tranmere at least £350,000 for this seasons competitions efforts, in reaching the fourth round for the first time since 2004. Although Manchester United are struggling at the moment, in the shadow of Liverpool and Manchester City for the past few seasons, Ole Gunar Solksjaer’s club still bring a massive sense of excitement to any club due to the clubs past successes: a record amount of premier leagues (20), 12 FA Cup’s which is only beaten by Arsenal and 3 Champions leagues. Aswell as the media and television investment into Manchester United, meaning Sunday’s fourth round tie will be shown on BT Sport.
Past meetings:
Tranmere have met Manchester United’s senior team before, back in 1982 when United were the first club to visit Prenton Park when a friendly was arranged to help raise vital funds to help Tranmere reach past the financial difficulties they faced at the time.
Before this, Tranmere travelled to Old Trafford for a league cup clash in the early September of 1976. Although this tie ended in a 5-0 defeat, fans have recently said that they attended this game and the two sides were at first evenly matched before the ‘superwhites’ came crashing down to a heavy scoreline.
Team news:
Ollie Banks, Mark Ellis and Evan Gumbs are all out of action as they are placed on the treatment table.
Alex Woodyard is cup-tied as he has appeared for Peterborough in this competition earlier this season, before making the loan deal to the north west.
Full back Kane Wilson is able to start after signing , on loan, from West Brom until the end of the season.
One to watch:
Manchester United have many players that will bring a level of quality rarely seen at Prenton Park, due to the difference in money they are able to spend on players. However, it is teenage sensation and youth promoted Mason Greenwood that is this Sunday’s ‘one to watch’. Greenwood, an 18 year old forward, has appeared in 22 games for the ‘red devils’ scoring 4 goals in the midst of those appearances.
Officials:
No information has been provided.
Did you know?
Manchester United have never played at Prenton Park competitively.
