Manchester United vs Sheffield United, FA Cup 2015/16, third round: Where to watch live, preview, possible XI and betting odds

Manchester United welcome League One side Sheffield United to Old Trafford for a third round FA Cup clash on 9 January.

Where to watch live

Kickoff is at 5.30pm GMT. Live TV coverage is available on BT Sport 2 and BT Sport 2 HD. Radio commentary will be available on BBC Radio 5 Live.

Overview

Manchester United begin their FA Cup campaign against League One side Sheffield United and Louis van Gaal will be under pressure to progress in the cup competition and back up their first win in nine games against Swansea City on Saturday (2 January).

The Red Devils have gone off the boil in recent months, which has seen them lose ground in the race for the Premier League title and get knocked out in the group stages of the Champions League. They have won just one of their last nine games with Wayne Rooney and Anthony Martial struggling to provide goals upfront.

The Dutch manager has come under increasing pressure and will be keen for his team to go on a good cup run as they look to make up ground in the league. Van Gaal will name a strong lineup to avoid any upset, but will be without Valencia, Shaw and Marcos Rojo, who are long-term absentees with Jones and Young doubtful after limping off against the Swans.

Sheffield United, meanwhile, will hope to cause a third round upset at the Theater of Dreams, and compound pressure on the Dutch manager. The Blades are due to play Wigan Athletic two days after their visit to Manchester and that could prompt manager Nigel Adkins to rest a few regulars as they look to finish in the promotion playoff places at the end of the season.

Betting odds

Manchester United win: 5/18

Sheffield United win: 17/2

Draw: 9/2

What managers say

Louis van Gaal: "All you can hope for is a home tie in cup draws. I am fully aware of the history and traditions of the FA Cup and that it is a competition we have not won since 2004. It is hard to believe that long-serving players such as Wayne Rooney and Michael Carrick, who have won almost every honour in the game, still haven't managed to win an FA Cup winners' medal. We look forward to the challenge and hope for a long run and to make a real impression."

Nigel Adkins: "Manchester United should beat a League One side but that's the beauty of the FA Cup and especially the third round. There will be upsets and surprises and why can't that be us? It's the Theatre of Dreams, so why can't we dream. It's a game of football with three results on offer. We would be more than delighted with two of those."

Team news

Manchester United: Romero; Darmian, Smalling, Blind, Borthwick-Jackson; Carrick, Schneiderlin; Pereira, Herrera, Martial; Rooney.

Sheffield United: Long; Brayford, Edgar, Collins, McEveley; Coutts, Basham, Hammond, Woolford; Sammon, Sharp.