Carabao Cup Preview : Manchester United vs Manchester City

Manchester United vs Manchester City – Carabao Cup – First Leg – Old Trafford – 07/01/2020 – KO: 20:00

Manchester United are a cup team at the moment, no mistake in saying that. Because of our inconsistent league form, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, almost strangely, would have been licking his lips at the prospect of playing two consecutive cup games.

The Carabao cup Semi-final won’t be any old Cup Game however, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side will take on the much nosier neighbours in Manchester City.

How Do Manchester United Look?

Embed from Getty Images

Manchester United had some notable absentees in Saturday’s clash against Wolves. Both Martial and Jesse Lingard missed the Fa Cup tie due to Illness. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, in his press conference, confirmed the two have time between the fixtures to recover. The Norwegian was giving no edge away. Harry Maguire seemingly picked up a knock early on against Wolves, Ole suggested the player will be reviewed ahead of the Cup tie.

Opposition: Manchester City

Embed from Getty Images

After a futile attempt to find an actual City fan to interview for tomorrow’s, I’ve decided to give my personal thoughts on tomorrow’s opposition.

In our last bout earlier in early December, Manchester City had only won 2 in 6 games. Their confidence hit rock bottom, judging by their recent high standards in recent seasons, they were terrible. Now we face a different prospect, a City side that has won 7 in 8 and has Sergio Aguero back to full fitness.

Saying that however, take nothing away from a brilliant Manchester United performance. From start to finish we were superb and especially in that first half, City couldn’t touch us. James, Lingard, Martial and Rashford were too much for the likes of Stones and Fernandinho playing in defence that day. Our frontline ran them ragged. City are just not the team they were in Pep’s early tenure, under any intense counter they seem to fold. And intense counter’s are Ole’s expertise.

Key Stats: Manchester Derby

Embed from Getty Images

• Juan Mata’s Strike in 2016 saw Manchester United beat Guardiola’s City under Jose in the Quarterfinal of the Carabao cup. United went onto win the competition that year.
• In 2010, in the semi-final of the league cup, Wayne Rooney’s stoppage-time winner saw United beat city over 2 legs (4-3 Aggregate score).