Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has included Paul Pogba and Dean Henderson in his Manchester United lineup to face Manchester City in the Carabao Cup semi-finals.
United can reach their first final under Solskjaer’s tutelage with victory over their cross-city rivals at Old Trafford this evening.
Pep Guardiola’s men are specialists in the competition having claimed the silverware on the last three occasions and will be high in confidence after swatting aside Chelsea 3-1 at Stamford Bridge.
Henderson resumes his Carabao Cup starting role and is protected by a back four including Victor Lindelof rather than Eric Bailly.
Bailly has been outstanding in his last four consecutive starts but the fit-again Swedish international has been preferred alongside Harry Maguire this evening.
Luke Shaw and Aaron Wan-Bissaka will look to provide the attacking support from full-back.
Meanwhile, Solskjaer has named the same midfield and frontline that secured a 2-1 win over Aston Villa in the league on Friday.
Scott McTominay and Fred continue their partnership in the midfield axis and indispensable Bruno Fernandes will play in behind Anthony Martial.
We expect Marcus Rashford to start on the right-flank and Paul Pogba to provide some width in a free role from the left.
See the team news in full, via United’s official twitter account:
🚨 𝐓𝐞𝐚𝐦 𝐧𝐞𝐰𝐬!
📋 Ole has made 2️⃣ changes to our starting XI for tonight's semi-final 👊
🔴 #MUFC
🏆 #CarabaoCup— Manchester United (@ManUtd) January 6, 2021
Interesting – good move on Lindelof imo. Give bailly a rest and Lindelof’s ball playing abilities could be key against City’s press #MUFC https://t.co/RjbZXDo8Tp
— Haider Rubbani 🇾🇪🎙⚽️ (@Haider_Rubbani) January 6, 2021
Plenty of disappointment that Bailly isn’t starting, but a rest is honestly the smartest thing here. He hadn’t previously played 4 in a row for 3 years so 5 games was a stretch. He’ll be crucial in the league run in if kept fit!
— The Man Utd Way (@TheManUtdWay) January 6, 2021
Bailly has played four games in quick succession. It’s perfectly understandable why Ole has given him a rest.
— Daniel (@UtdApollo) January 6, 2021
Understandable tbh. Still a good enough side to win. Personally would have started Matic over Mctominay today.
— Rahman (@MUFCRahman) January 6, 2021
Diamond to stop City midfield, Bruno and Pogba sending passes to Rashy and Martial runs. Could be a good night for us!!
— United Insider (@Utd19991) January 6, 2021
I really hope this isn’t a sign of things to come! Probably right to rest Bailly but I’m praying he’s playing against Liverpool or we’re not getting those three points
— Nick Barwick (@NickBarwick) January 6, 2021
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Fantastic squad lets pray for the best to the boys……to me its good lineup
Thought Bailly should have played on merit TBH,Donny on with minutes to go was insulting to the lad,FRED just runs about and gets his customary yellow card.Quiet from Bruno and the rest of the lads and we struggled to create much,sloppy 1st goal and decent 2nd for city,the Fizzy Cup missed out on again, but we fight on !