A place in the FA Cup semi-finals will be on the line when Manchester United face off against Wolves in their Last Eight clash at Molineux on Saturday. Club football will take a break for a fortnight of international fixtures after this weekend. But before that, the FA Cup quarter-finals will be on the agenda for eight sides from England, with the eye catching tie pitting Wolves against Manchester United in the final game on Saturday at Molineux. Wolves are one of the many giant killers left in the FA Cup, having knocked Liverpool out in the third round back in January. Their most recent fixture saw Nuno Espirito Santo’s men narrowly beat Bristol City 1-0 courtesy an Ivan Cavaleiro goal to set up the quarter-final date with Manchester United. The visitors, on the other hand, have had a tough road to the Last Eight stage, having had to get past Arsenal and Chelsea en route to booking a place in the latest round. And, the trip to face Wolves at Molineux will be another major test of the credentials of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men. Wolves recent form has been a bit hit and miss, although the hosts did impress in their 1-1 draw against Chelsea last weekend. Manchester United, meanwhile, saw their unbeaten domestic run under Solskjaer being snapped last Sunday by Arsenal, who handed them a 2-0 defeat at the Emirates. The two clubs have already locked horns once this season, with Wolves holding Manchester United to a 1-1 draw in a Premier League tie at Old Trafford back in September. Ahead of the latest meeting between the two sides, The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at the FA Cup encounter. Team News & Tactics Wolves Nuno Espirito Santo has been known for his ability to keep his squad fresh for the most part this season, and on Saturday he will have what is a luxury for just about every manager at this stage of a season. The Wolves boss has his entire squad available to him ahead of the visit of Manchester United on Saturday. Ryan Bennett’s suspension does not carry over to the FA Cup, meaning the centre-back will be at Nuno’s disposal for the quarter-final clash. And, Bennett should slot into the back-three alongside captain Conor Coady and Willy Boly, with Roman Saiss dropping down to the bench. Behind the three-man defence, John Ruddy ought to continue in goal for Wolves, as has been the case for cup games this season, something Nuno has alluded to. Meanwhile, the onus will once more be on the wing-back pairing of Matt Doherty and Jonny Castro, with the former, in fact, being the most prolific player remaining in the FA Cup. The duo’s delivery from the wide areas will be key, especially with Manchester United looking vulnerable against crosses and long balls. In midfield, the trio of Ruben Neves, Joao Mourinho and Leander Dendoncker ought to start, with their primary responsibility being to sit back and absorb the pressure before moving the ball along at pace. The front duo will yet again be Diogo Jota and Raul Jimenez, who will need to show poacher’s instinct, just as they did against Chelsea in the very first clear-cut chance that Wolves created. Jimenez, in particular, has been in scintillating form this season and his performance will play a big part in affecting the result. Probable Lineup (3-5-2): Ruddy; Bennett, Coady, Boly; Doherty, Dendoncker, Neves, Moutinho, Castro; Jimenez, Jota Manchester United Unlike his counterpart in the Wolves dugout, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer does not have the luxury of boasting a clean bill of health. But, there is some good news as a trio of first-teamers look set to return to the fray, although seven players could still miss out for Manchester United. Phil Jones (illness), Ander Herrera (thigh) and Jesse Lingard (hamstring) have all trained this week and are in contention to feature in some capacity. But, Solskjaer is sweating over the fitness of in-form striker Romelu Lukaku, who is struggling with a sore foot. Mason Greenwood, who has recently broken into the first-team setup, is also at the risk of missing out due to illness. The other four players are certain absentees – Matteo Darmian (knock, Antonio Valencia (calf), Juan Mata (hamstring) and Alexis Sanchez (knee). Lingard’s return means Solskjaer could afford to keep Lukaku on the bench as an emergency option, in case things do not go United’s way. The returning Englishman should have the fit-again Anthony Martial and compatriot Marcus Rashford as his partners in attack, and Rashford’s performance will hold the key for the visitors. In midfield, the Manchester United interim boss has the difficult decision to pick between Nemanja Matic and the resurgent Scott McTominay, particularly after the Serb’s subdued return to action last week. With the tie holding a lot of importance for the Red Devils, the first-choice trio of Matic, Herrera and Paul Pogba look likely to form the midfield trident on Saturday, although Fred has a case for continuing in the side as well. At the back, Ashley Young will not be available due to a suspension incurred in the win over Chelsea last month. In his stead, Diogo Dalot is a natural replacement, with Luke Shaw, Victor Lindelof and Chris Smalling picking themselves at the present moment. Behind them, Sergio Romero is the preferred choice in goal for cup games and should start ahead of David de Gea. Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Romero; Dalot, Smalling, Lindelof, Shaw; Herrera, Matic; Lingard, Pogba, Martial; Rashford Key Stats Thursday’s FA Cup quarter-final will be the 100th meeting between the two sides in all competitions. Manchester United, then known as Newton Heath, won the first game 10-1 in a league encounter in October 1892. Manchester United and Wolves are meeting in the FA Cup quarter-finals for the fourth time. The Red Devils are yet to be beaten at this stage by their hosts, having won 5-3 and 3-2 at Molineux in 1965 and 1976, respectively, while the original tie at Old Trafford in 1976 had ended 1-1. Only Arsenal (13) have won the FA Cup more times than Manchester United (12).<doc-sep>I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the FA Cup this season (and not just because my own team are still in it! ), and Wolves v Manchester United looks absolutely fascinating. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s unbeaten domestic run finally came to an end at the hands of Arsenal last week, and Wolves boss Nuno will feel the door is open for his side to sneak past them and into the semi-finals. We’ll come onto my predicted result shortly, but my first tip is for there to be under 2.5 goals scored (after the 90 minutes). Just 33% of Wolves’ Premier League matches have seen over 2.5 goals, and while United’s figure is a meatier 69% away from home, this won’t be the sort of match where both sides are going hell for leather from the off. At 17/20, this is well worth putting 2pts into.<doc-sep>Wolves host Manchester United in the FA Cup quarter-finals on Saturday night, with both sets of fans dreaming of cup success. Here’s all you need to know about the clash at Molineux… Form Wolves: WDLWD Wolves have made a seamless transition to life back in the top flight after promotion from the Championship last season, with Nuno Espirito Santo’s side currently seventh in the Premier League. Privacy Settings With consolidation in the top-flight comfortably sealed for next season, the Midlands club can afford to concentrate on cup success. Wolves have a strong record against the Premier League’s top six so far this season, and will fancy their chances of another upset against United. Mexican forward Raul Jimenez has been crucial to their success this season, the 27-year-old has six goals in his past seven appearances. Embed from Getty Images Manchester United: DWWWL Last weekend’s defeat at Arsenal was United’s first league defeat since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer took over as manager in December, with the Norwegian having rejuvenated the club since arriving as caretaker boss. Manchester United have progressed to the Champions League quarter-finals and are in contention to finish in the Premier League’s top four, though Solskjaer will be eyeing an FA Cup win as he looks to bring silverware to Old Trafford. Romelu Lukaku has been in terrific form of late with six goals in his past four appearances, and will be hoping to be on the scoresheet again against a Wolves side who have struggled to keep clean sheets of late. Embed from Getty Images Predicted Lineups Wolves: Patricio, Boly, Coady, Saiss, Doherty, Dendoncker, Neves, Moutinho, Jonny, Jota, Jimenez Manchester United: De Gea, Young, Smalling, Lindelof, Shaw, Matic, Pereira, Pogba, Martial, Rashford, Lukaku Who is the referee? Martin Atkinson. What TV channel is Wolves v Manchester United on? UK readers can watch the game on BBC 1, while those in the USA can watch the game on ESPN+. What time is kick off? 19:45 GMT. Odds Wolves – 9/4 Draw – 23/10 Manchester United – 11/10<doc-sep>Sign up NOW to get the latest Wolves news direct to your inbox Invalid Email Something went wrong, please try again later. Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice The pundits are lining up to call time on Wolverhampton Wanderers’ interest in this season’s FA Cup. Nuno Espirito Santo’s men are bidding for their first semi-final since 1998 but must first beat Manchester United to get there. The hosts go into the game having only been denied victory at Chelsea by Eden Hazard’s last gasp equaliser on Sunday. They also do so having seen of Liverpool, Shrewsbury and Bristol City in a competition they have won four times. United come into the game having lost for the first time under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in last weekend’s 2-0 reverse at Arsenal. And when the teams met at Old Trafford earlier in the season it was the hosts who felt more fortunate to have taken a 1-1 draw. But despite that many pundits are backing the Red Devils to deny Wolves a second trip to Wembley this season. Ex-Blues midfielder Robbie Savage reckons United will win 2-1. And so does Radio 1 DJ Danny Howard who told the BBC. “Wolves are having an unbelievable season riding high at top of the Premier League, who would have thought it. “But Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men, what a run they have had and what a transformation he has done to that club. “I think they are going to go all the way to the final so I am going to say Man United 2-1.” Beeb pundit Mark Lawrenson doesn't even see Wolves getting one goal and reckons it'll be 2-0 to the visitors. "United lost their first league game under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer last week but, with the chances they had, they should have beaten Arsenal. "Solskjaer’s side actually played really well, and if they can repeat that performance then it should put them in the semi-finals. "Wolves have already beaten Liverpool under the lights in the FA Cup, in round three, but Jurgen Klopp made a lot of changes for that game, and I don’t see Solskjaer doing the same." poll loading How will Wolves get on against Manchester United? 1000+ VOTES SO FAR Wolves win in 90 minutes Man United win in 90 minutes Wolves win in extra time Man United win in extra time Wolves win on penalties Man United win on penalties However Sky Sports’ Charlie Nicholas reckons the Old Gold will make it through to the semi-finals - even if they have to take the scenic route to get there. The former Scotland international says: “Wolves should have beaten Manchester United at Old Trafford earlier this season easily. But they weren’t clinical enough. “Nuno Espirito Santo doesn’t change his team too much often, but this a serious competition Manchester United can go and win. Wolves have already beaten Liverpool. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will be going for it but they do have injuries and issues at the back. “Wolves 2-2 Man Utd after 90 mins - Wolves to win on pens.” For all your latest Wolves news, opinion, analysis and transfer gossip, click here<doc-sep>
Manchester United take on Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux tonight in the quarter finals of the FA Cup [kick off 7.55pm]. United will be looking to bounce back following their frustrating 2-0 defeat to Arsenal at the Emirates last week that has left them sitting one point outside the top four in the Premier League table. The Manchester giants could find themselves down in sixth if Chelsea beat Everton in their game in hand on Sunday so the race to qualify for the Champions League next season is going to go down to the wire. Of course United are still in Europe’s elite competition this season and they’ve got a mouth-watering quarter-final tie with Barcelona to look forward to following Friday’s draw. However, Manchester United’s focus will be on FA Cup matters this evening as they look to book their place in the semi-finals but they’ll be up against a solid Wolves side so Ole Gunnar Solskjaer won’t be taking anything for granted. Team news Man Utd’s injury woes are slowly easing as Ander Herrera is expected to return to the squad after recovering from a hamstring injury while Jesse Lingard could also be involved after returning to full training last week. Anthony Martial is pushing for a start after making his return off the bench against Arsenal last week while Phil Jones is also available again after overcoming an injury that’s kept him out for a month. However, Juan Mata and Alexis Sanchez remain on the sidelines along with Antonio Valencia and Matteo Darmian while Ashley Young is suspended. Romelu Lukaku is also a doubt after picking up a foot injury so he might not be risked. Wolves have no fresh injury concerns to deal with and they have virtually a fully-fit squad to choose from. Expected line-ups Prediction Wolves 1-2 Man Utd: United shouldn’t take this task too lightly as Wolves have already knocked Liverpool out of the FA Cup and were minutes away from beating Chelsea at Stamford Bridge last weekend. However, Man Utd have a renewed resilience about them under Solskjaer and I think they’ll have enough quality to edge past Wolves to reach the last four.