A place in the Carabao Cup semi-finals awaits, as Manchester United travel to north London to take on Tottenham Hotspur in a mouthwatering clash on Thursday evening.
The Red Devils stunningly came from a goal down to beat cross-town rivals Manchester City 2-1 at the Etihad Stadium in the Premier League on Sunday, handing new boss Ruben Amorim a fine taste of his first-ever Manchester derby. Three days before, they had earned a hard-fought 2-1 win at Viktoria Plzen in the Europa League.
Back-to-back wins should have given Ruben Amorim’s team a lot of confidence heading into the cup tie against Spurs, who, like their visitors in midweek continue to be inconsistent but smashed Southampton 5-0 in the league on Sunday evening.
Manchester United Team News
Both Mason Mount and Noussair Mazraoui were forced off during the Manchester derby victory at the weekend, with Amorim ruling out the former with an injury in the cup tie against Spurs. Mazraoui, meanwhile, remains doubtful for the trip to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Alejandro Garnacho and Marcus Rashford were left out of the squad that faced Manchester City. Provided the duo prove themselves in the final training session, they will be included as per Amorim.
Predicted Man United lineup vs Tottenham (3-4-2-1)
Goalkeeper
Andre Onana is set to continue in goal for Man United. The Cameroonian will be hungry to keep a clean sheet against Spurs.
Defence
Changes are expected in the Reds’ backline. Harry Maguire was outstanding against Man City, but having recently returned from injury, it is unlikely he will be risked from the start again. Leny Yoro could take Maguire’s place in the Man United lineup, joining experienced pros Matthijs de Ligt and Lisandro Martinez in the three-man backline.
The defensive trio have to be switched on from the start to keep a dangerous Tottenham attack at bay.
Midfield
With Noussair Mazraoui doubtful, Diogo Dalot is likely to start in the right wing-back role for the visitors. Tyrell Malacia is expected to be handed a start on the opposite flank in the Man United lineup. The wing-backs have to be bold and dynamic to stretch the makeshift Spurs backline.
Casemiro was an unused substitute in the Manchester derby, so he will be fresh to start here. The experienced Brazilian is likely to replace Manuel Ugarte in the middle of the park in the Man United lineup.
Joining him will be Kobbie Mainoo, who replaced the injured Mason Mount in the first half of the Manchester derby.
Attack
Bruno Fernandes, who scored the vital equaliser from the penalty spot in the Manchester derby, will lead the team out of the tunnel once again. The Portuguese will take up one of the advanced roles in the Man United lineup. Star of the Manchester derby, Amad Diallo will be hoping to produce another magical night and guide Man United to the last four of the Carabao Cup.
Up front, Amorim may give Joshua Zirkzee the nod ahead of Rasmus Hojlund. If Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho are included in the squad, they will likely come off the bench in the second half.
