Yeovil Town are the smallest side left in the FA Cup competition and on paper, the perceived “easiest” draw an opponent could receive. Thus, Manchester United definitely got the proverbial “luck of the draw” here. Heading into the Friday night clash, the main story on everybody’s mind will be- “will Alexis Sanchez make his United debut?”
Well, the official Yeovil Town account certainly hopes so, as they Tweeted the following joke below:
You said you've joined "the biggest club in the world" @Alexis_Sanchez so it's only right you start your #MUFC career in the biggest away dressing room in @SkyBetLeagueTwo*.
*maybe ? #YTFC #Alexis7 pic.twitter.com/BVFt0A06Xk
— Yeovil Town F.(C). (@YTFC) January 22, 2018
“You said you’ve joined the biggest club in the world @Alexis_Sanchez, so it’s only right you start your #MUFC career in the biggest away dressing room in @SkyBetLeagueTwo. Maybe!”
The newest member of United, who signed a deal that’s reportedly worth potentially up to £600,000 a week, will likely see some minutes in this one, but almost certainly as a substitute. It’s very doubtful that Alexis gets a first team assignment in this one.
Yeovil Town will not have the services of midfielder Otis Khan, who will begin serving a five-match ban for shoving an official. “I ran towards the referee and, upon doing so, I tripped and fell towards him, making contact,” said the former United trainee, who will miss out on his dream chance of facing the team that he supported growing up.
“I am absolutely heartbroken at this time because my dreams of playing against my boyhood team are in doubt. It’s the worst time of my life at this moment.” Yeovil appealed the Football Association ruling, but were denied.
Fun fact- Friday will mark both Jose Mourinho’s 100th game as United manager and his 55th birthday. Expect him to celebrate by making several changes to his line-up.
The Portugese made five squad rotations in the previous round versus Derby County, so expect to see some youngsters like Scott McTominay, Angel Gomes and Axel Tuanzebe get some well-deserved playing time.
Odds via Betfair: Yeovil Town 22/1, United 2/15, Draw 15/2
Prediction: United 4, Yeovil Town 0
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net and TheBank.News, which is partnered with News Now. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times, NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, currently contributes regularly to WGN CLTV and the Tribune company’s blogging community Chicago Now.
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