Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United are making slow progress in the Premier League and they also managed to move into the next round of the FA Cup after a comfortable victory in the 3rd round of the competition. They are also alive in Europe and will face AS Saint-Etienne in the first knockout stage fixture but will have to face Hull City in the semi-final of the League Cup.
The Old Trafford outfit defeated West Ham United to set up this two-legged semi-final against the Tigers and they will welcome Mike Phelan’s side to Manchester in the first round. United are strong favourites to go all the way and here is the predicted lineup that Mourinho might field for this game:
Team News:
The manager hardly has any absentees for this game. Defender Eric Bailly is off the AFCON and will not play a role in this game while Marcos Rojo, who picked up a niggle in the last game, is the only doubt for this game against Hull City.
Expected lineup (4-3-3):
David de Gea:
The semi-final of the League Cup is occasion enough for Mourinho to stick with his first choice shot-stopper, who has been in solid form this season.
Antonio Valencia:
The first choice right-back for United, Valencia, has a huge role to play in the squad if United are to end this tie in the first leg.
Chris Smalling:
The English defender has been superb after coming back from an injury and is now the first choice for the manager in the absence of Bailly.
Phil Jones:
Completing an all English centre-back pairing, Jones, who has also been impressive in bits and pieces recently, should play alongside Smalling at the back.
Daley Blind:
Though Rojo is expected to be fit, Mourinho would want to save him for the game against Liverpool at the weekend and should go with Blind for this League Cup tie.
Ander Herrera:
The Spanish midfielder has also been in decent form for United this season and he should keep his place in the side for this game.
Marouane Fellaini:
The versatile midfielder is not expected to play a role in the game against Liverpool at the weekend, hence, he should start this League Cup tie in the midfield for Manchester United.
Paul Pogba:
The French international is slowly settling into his life in England and he should start this game in the midfield for Manchester United.
Juan Mata:
The Spanish playmaker started the season in decent form but has not been effective recently. However, he should get his chance to impress in this game against Hull City.
Jesse Lingard:
The young Englishman has been effective whenever called upon by the manager and Mourinho should go with him on the left-flank for this League Cup semi-final.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic:
Though a game against Liverpool is looming large, Zlatan is an important player for United and should start this game at Old Trafford.
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