Why Aaron Wan-Bissaka is absent for United’s fourth-round FA Cup tie

Despite facing League Two opposition, Erik ten Hag has named his strongest possible Manchester United side for this afternoon’s FA Cup clash.

The Red Devils are well aware that the competition is their only shot at silverware for the remainder of the campaign, having already exited the Carabao Cup and Europe. As well as that, they sit 11 points away from the Premier League’s top-four.

As such, they’ve been granted a favourable tie on paper and will be looking to oversee a convincing and dominant performance to cruise to the fifth round. Anything less than that would be one of the most notable cup upsets in recent seasons.

A win would see United travel to face either Nottingham Forest or Bristol City away in the next stage, pending the outcome of the sides’ replay on February 7.

Team news for the Reds

Altay Bayindir makes his club debut today, while Casemiro and Luke Shaw make their first appearances of 2024.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka, who has been the subject of transfer interest from three clubs, misses out through a ‘precuation’.