Why Jadon Sancho & Luke Shaw missed Man Utd vs West Ham in the FA Cup

Luke Shaw and Jadon Sancho were notable absentees from the Manchester United squad for Wednesday’s FA Cup tie against West Ham United.

Both played at Wembley on Sunday as the Red Devils won the Carabao Cup, but weren’t named in the 20-man squad in midweek. Erik ten Hag had said ahead of the game that Luke Shaw and Fred were doubts, although the latter was named on the bench for the FA Cup game at Old Trafford.

But Sancho’s omission was a little more surprising, with the winger returning to the team in recent weeks following a three-month period away from the squad. Speaking ahead of the game, Erik ten Hag revealed why both missed out against the Hammers.

“One [Sancho] is ill. One [Shaw] is a small injury,” the United boss told MUTV. “I hope it is not too bad. We have to see how it develops to Sunday. They are not available for tonight, but we know we have good players in the squad and we can replace that.”

United travel to Anfield this weekend and Ten Hag will hope Shaw, in particular, is available.

The Dutchman made six changes for Wednesday’s game against West Ham. Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof, Tyrell Malacia, Scott McTominay, Marcel Sabitzer and Alejandro Garnacho came into the team in place of Raphael Varane, Lisandro Martinez, Shaw, Casemiro, Fred and Marcus Rashford.

David De Gea, Diogo Dalot, Antony, Bruno Fernandes and Wout Weghorst retained their places from Sunday’s Carabao Cup final.

Asked about his changes, Ten Hag said: “It’s about using the squad an until this moment we use everyone. Everyone has to be ready to play. Now we play with six changes but the rules and the principles are the same.”

United XI: De Gea; Dalot, Maguire, Lindelof, Malacia; McTominay, Sabitzer; Antony, Fernandes, Garnacho; Weghorst.