Manchester United face Colchester United in the EFL Cup quarter-finals, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer keen to move a step closer to winning his first trophy as manager at the North-West giants.

However, after already defeating two Premier League sides en route to the last eight, League Two side Colchester will relish the challenge of playing at Old Trafford.

Match preview

While this competition will be at the bottom of Solskjaer's priorities for this season, the Norwegian will feel that the club's fringe and academy players can only benefit from the more games that they play in the coming weeks and months.

The Europa League group stages provided the members of the squad in question with much-needed game time in the senior ranks, which has led to them staking their claim for a regular spot in the team.

United had to rely on penalties to defeat Rochdale and an exquisite Marcus Rashford free kick in order to get the better of Chelsea, but Solskjaer will take a great deal of satisfaction from witnessing his team battle through those ties.

Although the team which is chosen on Wednesday night likely to be similar to one used in Europe, Solskjaer will want to see that his faith is being repaid with progression.

While Mason Greenwood has arguably taken the most from frequent appearances in the first team, the likes of Brandon Williams and Tahith Chong also know that they have to take advantage of these kinds of occasion if they are to challenge more experienced players in the group.

As far as Colchester are concerned, this tie represents the latest chapter of what has been a fairytale journey to the quarter-finals, and John McGreal will hope that there is still more to come from his team.

The Essex-based outfit have put together a six-match unbeaten run in League Two, keeping the club in ninth position and in contention for the playoffs.

However, their headline performances have come in this competition, with penalty-shootout triumphs being registered against Crystal Palace and Tottenham Hotspur respectively after goalless draws.

Keeping a clean sheet at Old Trafford will prove a tougher ask, but Colchester have recently set a trend of coming on strong during the closing stages of matches, a trait which may be required in order to earn a spot in the last four.

Manchester United EFL Cup form: DW
Manchester United form (all competitions): LDWWWD

Colchester United EFL Cup form form: WDDW
Colchester United form (all competitions): LWDLWD

Team News

While Paul Pogba is closing in on a return to action, the World Cup winner is highly unlikely to play any part of this game.

The only changes to the team which began against AZ last Thursday could be Phil Jones and Chong replacing Harry Maguire and Anthony Martial respectively.

Diogo Dalot may be named on the substitutes' bench after recovering from a groin injury.

In contrast to United, Colchester are likely to keep changes down to a minimum, with Courtney Senior expected to get the nod over Callum Harriot on the right flank.

Former Arsenal Under-23s player Cohen Bramall and the much-travelled Frank Nouble should line up on the opposite side of the pitch.

Manchester United possible starting lineup:
Romero; Young, Tuanzebe, Jones, Williams; Garner, Matic; Chong, Pereira, Mata; Greenwood

Colchester United possible starting lineup:
Gerken; Jackson, Eastman, Prosser, Bramall; Comley, Pell; Senior, Poku, Nouble; Norris

We say: Manchester United 4-0 Colchester United

Despite the prospect of United making mass alterations, they should still have far too much quality for their lowly opponents, who may find it difficult to take a third top-flight scalp in quick succession.