SM
Thursday, March 28
Upcoming predictions and previews
MU
EFL Cup | Semi-Finals
Jan 6, 2021 at 7.45pm UK
Old Trafford
MC

Man Utd
0 - 2
Man City


Fred (69'), Shaw (90+1')
FT(HT: 0-0)
Stones (50'), Fernandinho (83')
Fernandinho (48'), Cancelo (78')

How Manchester City could line up against Manchester United

:Headline: How Manchester City could line up against Manchester United: ID:429203: from db_amp
Sports Mole looks at how holders Manchester City could line up for Wednesday's EFL Cup semi-final against local rivals Manchester United at Old Trafford.

Manchester City can take another step towards League Cup history when they face Manchester United in the semi-finals at Old Trafford on Wednesday night.

Pep Guardiola's side have lifted the trophy five times in the last seven years including each of the last three, and are looking to become only the second team to triumph four years on the bounce.

However, first they must overcome a Man United side in fine domestic form in what is a repeat of the semi-final from last season's competition.

Here, Sports Mole looks at how the holders could line up for the contest.



Out: Ederson (coronavirus), Ferran Torres (coronavirus), Eric Garcia (coronavirus), Tommy Doyle (coronavirus), Gabriel Jesus (coronavirus), Kyle Walker (coronavirus), Scott Carson (coronavirus), Cole Palmer (coronavirus), Aymeric Laporte (hamstring)
Doubtful: Nathan Ake (fitness)

> Click here for Man City's latest injury and suspension news ahead of this match

Manchester City have been severely hit by the coronavirus crisis, with an outbreak in their squad forcing the postponement of a recent Premier League game against Everton and leaving without six players for Sunday's win over Chelsea.

The situation has since become even worse, with Scott Carson and Cole Palmer also being confirmed positive on the day of this game.

Goalkeeper Ederson was perhaps the most high profile of those and he will again sit out for this match, although back-up Zack Steffen may have been in line to deputise anyway, particularly with Carson now out too.

Further forward, Guardiola could still field a strong XI despite his absentees, with Sunday's home FA Cup tie against Championship outfit Birmingham City perhaps a better opportunity to rest players.

Sergio Aguero may be held back for that after making more tentative steps back from an injury-plagued season as a late sub against Chelsea, but he is in contention to lead the line on Wednesday should Guardiola deem him fit enough.

Man City may not make too many more changes than that to their side given the impressive nature of their victory over Chelsea, with Phil Foden, who scored at Stamford Bridge and has directly contributed to nine goals in his last 12 League Cup games, among those hoping to keep his place.

Ilkay Gundogan has also been in good scoring form lately and could start, but Rodri, Raheem Sterling, Bernardo Silva and Oleksandr Zinchenko could drop to the bench.

Benjamin Mendy admitted to a coronavirus breach at New Year but was then defended by Guardiola, suggesting that the manager will have no qualms selecting the full-back in this match after he was an unused sub at the weekend.

Gabriel Jesus and Kyle Walker were revealed to have tested positive on Christmas Day so in theory their 10-day isolation period is now up and they could be in contention, although they will first have to provide a negative result and may not be involved even if they do so.

Ederson, Ferran Torres, Eric Garcia and Tommy Doyle are all also still in self-isolation, while Guardiola's options are further limited by the potential absences of defensive duo Aymeric Laporte and Nathan Ake, both of whom missed out against Chelsea.

Laporte has suffered a minor hamstring strain while Ake failed to pass a fitness test, and both are expected to sit out again given the quick turnaround in fixtures.

> Click here to see how Manchester United could line up for this contest

amp_article__429203 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2021-01-06 14:28:08:
html db last update - 2021-03-10 22:46:47 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html
Read more!
Share this article now:
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Arsenal28204470244664
2Liverpool28197265263964
3Manchester CityMan City28196363283563
4Aston Villa29175760421856
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs28165759421753
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd28152113939047
7West Ham UnitedWest Ham2912894650-444
8Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2811985044642
9Wolverhampton WanderersWolves28125114244-241
10Newcastle UnitedNewcastle281241259481140
11Chelsea27116104745239
12Fulham29115134344-138
13Bournemouth2898114152-1135
14Crystal Palace2878133348-1529
15Brentford2975174154-1326
16Everton2887132939-1025
17Luton TownLuton2957174260-1822
18Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest2967163551-1621
19Burnley2945202963-3417
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd2835202474-5014
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .