Manchester United vs Manchester City
England – Carabao Cup
Date: Tuesday, 7 January 2020
Kick-off at 20:00 UK/ 21:00 CET
Venue: Old Trafford (Manchester).
What looked on paper like a difficult January has proved right for Manchester United so far, with the Red Devils are still seeking their first win and first goal of the New Year.
A 2-0 defeat at Arsenal on New Year's Day followed by a goalless draw with Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday, forcing the FA Cup replay into their busy schedules.
Things did not get easier with Man City visit, although it was against Pep Guardiola's side that United produced arguably their best performance of the season to date.
Tuesday will mark exactly one month since the 2-1 win at the Etihad Stadium, and has been throughout the month as chaotic as their campaign so far.
Frustration for United fans have their inconsistency, with a tendency to suffer from a very disappointing setback just when it looks as though they had turned a corner.
suffering that has not cost them in this competition, although their route to the Cup semi-finals has not been entirely easy EFL.
United needed a penalty shootout to avoid disgrace third-round exit at home to League One Rochdale before overcoming Chelsea at Stamford Bridge belongs to clamp Marcus Rashford.
Rashford is scored again for the 3-0 victory over Colchester United in the last round, although the derby is sure to be their toughest test yet as they pursue a sixth League Cup crown.
That would see them draw level with Man City tally, four of which have come in the last six seasons as the club has dominated the competition.
Guardiola's side are bidding to become the first team since the 1981-1984 Liverpool to lift the trophy three years in a row, and the Premier League is now definitely out of range of any other piece of silver take extra level of importance.
Predicted Lineups
Manchester United De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Lindelöf, Maguire, Williams; Fred, Pereira; James, Lingard, Rashford; Self-defense.
Manchester City Bravo; Walker, Fernandinho, Otamendi, Zinchenko; De Bruyne, Rodri, Gundogan; Mahrez, Agüero, Sterling.
Manchester United v Manchester City Opta stats
Manchester United beat Manchester City in their last meeting in December in the Premier League; The Red Devils have not won consecutive games against their rivals since April 2010.
Manchester City have won six of their last nine away games against Man Utd in all competitions (W6 D1 L2), one more than they managed in their previous 39 at Old Trafford.
Manchester United have been knocked out Man City in their last two League Cup ties them, knocking them out in the 2009/10 semi-finals and the fourth round in 2016/17.
Since losing 1-0 to Man Utd in the fourth round in October 2016, Man City are unbeaten in 15 League Cup matches (W11 D4). The last team to have long-term is Chelsea between 2004 and 2008 (18 games), although they were knocked out on penalties in the run.
It will be 15 Manchester United's League Cup semi-finals - only Liverpool (17) has appeared in more in the history of this competition.
Pep Guardiola has won his last five matches in domestic semi-final with Manchester City since losing 2-1 to Arsenal in the 2016/17 FA Cup semi-final. Four of those wins was in the League Cup, winning both legs against Bristol City at Burton Albion in 2017/18 and 2018/19.
Man Utd striker Marcus Rashford has been involved in eight goals in his last five League Cup appearances (5 goals, 3 assists), scored three goals so far this campaign.
Since the beginning of 2013/14 season, Man City Raheem Sterling has been involved in more goals than any other player League Cup (14-8 goals, 6 assists).
City of doubt came into the match in better shape, with a better squad and a better manager. However, as the old saying goes, everything goes out the window in a derby. Both coaches seem to have prioritized the game as each side rested their star in the FA Cup match this weekend.
Guardiola certainly appreciated Carabao Cup and have won the competition two years running, while Solskjaer need to restore the goodwill it has built up with the last derby win and then subsequently squandered with a loss to Watford and Arsenal.
If the city had not wised threat of United's front three have and if the Red Devils could break the first line of the press for the release of their track team, Solskjaer side may be capable of causing an upset others.
If the city had not wised threat of United's front three have and if the Red Devils could break the first line of the press for the release of their track team, Solskjaer side may be capable of causing an upset others.
Prediction: Manchester United 1-2 Manchester City
