After a weeks break United are back on the road to face a Mansfield team who’ve played twice in that period. People are talking up the Stags as one of those sides who could threaten to make a surge into the playoff picture, so United will need to be at their best to come away with a result.
Injury wise, Harrison Dunk should be back after his concussion, but it’s likely to be too soon for Paul Digby and Hiram Boateng. The big question is who’s likely to start in the middle: Drysdale, May and Wes are probably a given, but questions remain over Luke Hannant. Bonner seems to like him, so will probably start him, but it’s been clear to us for a while that he looks like he needs a break. We don’t have a direct replacement, Shilow Tracey would be the closest but is more attacking and may not do the defensive work that Hannant does. Liam O’Neil is the other option, but he leaves us short going forward… decisions, decisions.
Expected U’s Line-Up: Burton, Knoyle, Taylor, Okedina, Dunk, Hannant, May, Drysdale, Hoolahan, Mullin, Ironside
The rest of the team picks itself, with Mitov out until the rest of the season Burton comes in, and Okedina put his poor performance at Salford behind him with an assured one against Southend. Up front, it can only be Mullin & Ironside.
Who’s Their Player To Watch? We mentioned George Lapslie previously, who’s now signed permanently at Field Mill. Jordan Bowery is their top scorer and needs keeping an eye on too.
Who’s In The Dugout? Still Nigel Clough, still trading on his fathers more illustrious name, still a twat.
What’s Their Recent Form Like? P5, W2, D2, L1, For 9, Against 8
Any Ex-United Players? George Maris, a poundshop Luke Berry in every sense of the word.
Last Time Out: United 0-1 Mansfield, December 2 2020
Remember when two thousand of us were lucky enough to go and watch United earlier this season? Feels like a million years ago now doesn’t it? Probably not worth watching the highlights of this one again to be honest.
From The Archive: United 2-2 Mansfield, December 6 2014
Luke Chadwick! Kwesi Appiah! Tom Champion! Three United legends on the scoresheet (although Champs’ was an own goal but we’ll let him off) in this FA Cup tie with Mansfield. It took a Sullay Kaikai goal in the replay to set up a third round game against Luton, and we all know what happened there…
UTAS Moosenet Prediction: 1-0 United, Hoolahan.
Under The Abbey Stand 
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