Albion's defensive rock Shane Duffy does not get pushed around by many opposing forwards.

But the big Irishman is bracing himself for a big challenge on St Patrick's Day at Old Trafford this evening - trying to subdue FA Cup specialist Romelu Lukaku.

They were briefly colleagues at Everton, when Duffy was on his way out and Lukaku went to Goodison Park on loan initially from Chelsea.

Now they are rivals in a battle which could play a large part in which of them goes through to a Wembley semi-final.

Duffy and partner Lewis Dunk (below) managed to keep Lukaku off the scoresheet in Albion's unfortunate 1-0 defeat at United in the Premier League in November.

The Argus: That does not happen very often and Duffy admits he is not particularly relishing the prospect of a shuddering tussle with the beefy Belgian marksman.

Duffy joked: "Not really, because he might throw me about the place! He wants to have a little battle with you. I feel like I can cope with most. He's a big, strong boy. Hopefully I get the better of him."

Not many defenders have managed that, especially in the FA Cup. Lukaku has scored 11 goals in his last ten FA Cup appearances, including both in the fourth round win at Huddersfield.

The only time in the sequence he failed to find the net was ironically against United for Everton in the sem-finals two years ago.

The perception with Lukaku, in similar vein to Jose Mourinho's United, is that he is having an ordinary campaign.

This stems mainly from his modest record against the other top sides, but it is strange that 24 goals with at least nine more matches to add to that tally should be regarded as anything other than a good season.

"I don't know what that is then," Duffy said. "It's probably just the demands of Manchester United. It's such a huge club and they are probably looking at the likes of Kane and Salah and they want them.

"I think he is having a great season and his numbers are backing it up. They always have, every season he gets 20 plus and there is no doubt he is one of the top strikers in this league and even the world.

"He is very physical and if United play to their strengths he can punish you. He has got the players around him as well to link up if he is on it.

"I remember playing up there. He was good. He didn't score, but he was physical and made clever runs. He's a finisher as well, gets his goals, so you can't really give him a sniff."

Duffy is not reading too much either into the slow start made at Old Trafford by Alexis Sanchez since his switch from Arsenal.

The Chilean, such a livewire with the Gunners, has notched only once in his first ten appearances for United and there is talk that Mourinho should leave him out after some ineffective displays.

Duffy said: "I don't know personally if he is struggling, but it happens to everyone. We've signed players who've taken time to settle in to the team.

"He's still getting used to his new players and I know from my experience of moving to a new club that it does take time.

"Obviously with the numbers of what's been paid for him it's more pressure on him, but he's a world class player. So he'll no doubt be back and probably be the best player in the league next year. That's the calibre of player he is."

Chris Hughton's Albion striker choices for this evening's quarter-final are also a matter for debate. Glenn Murray's prolific run of eight goals in 11 outings included the winners as a substitute in rounds three and four against Crystal Palace and Middlesbrough.

The Argus: Jurgen Locadia and Leo Ulloa (above) partnered each other and both scored in the previous round, but that was against Coventry at the Amex.

Hughton is unlikely to start with two strikers, but Ulloa and Locadia could both still be picked with the Dutchman out wide.

Hughton told The Argus: "Leo would have seen not only the goals Glenn has scored but his form over this period of time.

"He would have, to a degree, understood that. They all know decisions a manager has to take and ones that are tougher than others.

"He is in there Leo, pushing very hard. He played in an under-23 game to make sure he was up to speed and ready and available."