Manchester : On Thrusday (7 January) night Manchester United host Manchester City in a mouth-watering derby at Old Trafford, for the Carabao Cup semi-finals.
Manchester derby set to happen second year in a row for the cup semi-finals, the derby is always a hugely anticipated affair, but Wednesday’s showdown promises a place at Wembley, against Tottenham.
United and City are both looking in much greater shape and form, with victories over Aston Villa and Chelsea respectively in EPL although both the club started their campaign with underwhelming performances.
Red Devils managed to take 26 points from the last 30 on offer with the triumph over Aston Villa and levelled points with champions Liverpool at the summit, while Man City have won five and lost none of their last seven league games.
Man City have suffered just two defeats in their 24 outings across all competitions, three less than their upcoming opponent. Despite that, United who sit second in the table, albeit having played a game more.
The Red Devils also have great pedigree in this competition, the derby being their 16th appearance in the League Cup semi-finals – second only to Liverpool. United have been knocked out two out of their last three semi-final, it is their city rival who can brag about better form in recent years.
The reigning cup holders cannot allow their focus to drift beyond their next game, as they have only lost two of their 23 League Cup matches under Guardiola, and both came at the hands of Manchester United.
Guardiola as a manager won 17 of his 24 matches in this competition, while Man City have progressed from each of their last five League Cup semi-finals, and also won the trophy each time.
However, Ole Gunnar Solskjær also hold a record of winning three of his six managerial meetings with Guardiola, which is the Spaniard’s worst loss percentage against any manager he has faced at least five times.
The Red Devils have returned to their winning ways in recent weeks to the extent that Solskjaer’s job, which was under threat following their exit from the Champions League, is now not much of a worry.
With the 2-1 win over Aston Villa on New Year’s Day they have won four and drawn one of their last five home league games. The Citizens away form is also good – three wins in a row and just one defeat in 15 across all competitions.
Manchester United EFL Cup form: WWW
Manchester United form (all competitions): WWWDWW
Manchester City EFL Cup form: WWW
Manchester City form (all competitions): DDWWWW
Manchester United possible starting lineup:
Henderson; Wan-Bissaka, Bailly, Maguire, Shaw; McTominay, Fred, Pogba; Fernandes; Martial, Rashford
Manchester City possible starting lineup:
Steffen; Cancelo, Dias, Stones, Mendy; Fernandinho, Gundogan; Mahrez, De Bruyne, Foden; Aguero
Head To Head
These two sides have met once this season at Old Trafford, the match ending in a goalless draw. Thrusday’s clash will be the fourth time the two rivals have met in the semi-finals of this competition, with Man City winning 3-2 on aggregate last season.
However, Man United are unbeaten in their last three games against Man City across all competitions.
