It seems Gary Neville may have known more than he let on when he suggested Manchester United might be prepared to “sacrifice” their FA Cup quarter-final against Chelsea.
The Red Devils take on Rostov in the Europa League just three days after the Monday night trip to Stamford Bridge, and Neville suggested José Mourinho might prioritise the two competitions which United can use to qualify for next season’s Champions League, rather than the one which doesn’t have that carrot at the end.
He may well be right, with early reports indicating Mourinho may be leaving a number of attacking players in Manchester.
Rooney, Rashford and Martial weren't spotted among #mufc squad at Stockport Station.
— Samuel Luckhurst (@samuelluckhurst) March 12, 2017
With Zlatan Ibrahimović suspended, one of Rooney, Martial and Rashford was expected to lead the line in the FA Cup quarter-final.
The trio could yet make the trip down to London separately, but if none of them are involved then United fans think it means only one thing.
That’s right, the return of the ‘Fellaini Up Front’ project.
And it has brought a mixed reaction.
https://twitter.com/ScottFyles_/status/841002651529687041
I reckon it's Fellaini up front tomorrow & hoof ball. There's not a single striker in the travelling squad.
— Alistair B (@abworth2813) March 12, 2017
https://twitter.com/tanmayarora19/status/841001449341476864
Fellaini up front then tomorrow lads 😳 #MUFC
— Nelson (@AzumaNelson) March 12, 2017
No Martial Rooney Rashford Ibra.. Fellaini upfront? #LVGIt
— Adnaan (@Dudley_O7) March 12, 2017
https://twitter.com/HeroicMkhi/status/841002018156216320
The match is the first FA Cup meeting between the two sides since April 2013, also at the quarter-final stage.
On that occasion, another less-than-prolific striker – Chelsea’s Demba Ba – scored the only goal of the game. Fellaini is on another level of unpopularity, however, having been booed by his own fans as recently as December.
