Match Previews

country flag League Cup Round 1/2 Final
Manchester United vs. Manchester City
Wed 06 January 2021 19:45
Referee
Martin Atkinson
Weather at KO
weather icon Mostly Cloudy  0oC | Precip: 0% (0 mm) | Wind 1.2 m/s
Draw Format
ET, PKs
Travel Info
1/2 hour coach
Distance
4 KM
Venue
No Fans

Manchester United

Last updated: Wed 06 January 2021 18:12
In Brief

To seek revenge after losing vs. Man City at same stage of League Cup last season. Confidence high after going on 10-game unbeaten run in Premier League. Lindelof slight doubt. Cavani suspended.

Looking Back

United cruised to this stage of competition with 3 easy wins accompanied by 3 clean sheets – 3:0 vs. Luton; 3:0 vs. Brighton and 2:0 vs. Everton.

Red Devils full of confidence right now after going unbeaten in last 10 rounds in league (W8 D2). This despite needing luck and regular help from officials during this run.

Last season met Man City at same stage of League Cup and lost 2:3 on aggregate. This season due to COVID the semi-finals will be only in one leg so United must be ready to go for it.

Looking Ahead

Coach Solskjaer started with Henderson on goal in every League Cup game so far and this likely to happen again. Also Mata could start as in 2 League Cup appearances this season he already scored 2 goals.

Further changes likely with Telles, Van de Beek and James just some of the others hoping to be trusted with rare starts.

Lindelof might not be risked as he battels back problem, while experienced Cavani is suspended.

Points of Interest

Nothing between sides in their last 9 meetings – 4 wins each and 1 draw.

Manchester City

Last updated: Wed 06 January 2021 18:12
In Brief

Best defensive record in entire Premier League from mid-November onwards. Seek unprecedented fourth consecutive League Cup triumph. Walker and Jesus could be back after COVID, but Ederson, Torres and several others still in isolation. Laporte and Ake nurse injuries.

Looking Back

City cruised to easy 3:1 away win vs. Chelsea on Sunday, with Sky Blues building 3:0 lead inside opening 35 minutes and then simply controlling play from midfield. De Bruyne used as false nine in this match and he impressed (1 goal and 1 assists).

Unbeaten in last 7 rounds (W5 D2) and main reason for that excellent defending during this run, just 2 goals conceded in those 7 games.

Already created League Cup history by winning this trophy in 3 consecutive years, with City making this competition their own from 2017 onwards with 20 wins in 21 League Cup games played!

Looking Ahead

Coach Guardiola still deals with COVID outbreak amongst group and at least Ederson, Torres and 4 others remain in isolation. Walker and Jesus only just back training after having virus and not sure if they will be ready.

Also Laporte and Ake nurse muscle issues and both doubtful.

Aguero could start up front in this one, especially considering his excellent scoring record vs. Man United (9 goals in 15 Manchester derbies).

Manager Comments

"We don't have many players, To play one, two games is okay but if sustained for a long time - and you can use just 14 or 15 players - it will be more difficult. The important thing is the guys who have Covid recover well and the others try to avoid it as much as possible."

Suspended Unavailable
Doubtful (chance of availability) Rested
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Suspended
  • ---
Unavailable
Doubtful (chance of availability) Rested
  • ---
Probable Starting 11
Probable Bench
Probable Starting 11
Probable Bench

Manchester City

Last updated: Wed 06 January 2021 18:12
In Brief

Best defensive record in entire Premier League from mid-November onwards. Seek unprecedented fourth consecutive League Cup triumph. Walker and Jesus could be back after COVID, but Ederson, Torres and several others still in isolation. Laporte and Ake nurse injuries.

Looking Back

City cruised to easy 3:1 away win vs. Chelsea on Sunday, with Sky Blues building 3:0 lead inside opening 35 minutes and then simply controlling play from midfield. De Bruyne used as false nine in this match and he impressed (1 goal and 1 assists).

Unbeaten in last 7 rounds (W5 D2) and main reason for that excellent defending during this run, just 2 goals conceded in those 7 games.

Already created League Cup history by winning this trophy in 3 consecutive years, with City making this competition their own from 2017 onwards with 20 wins in 21 League Cup games played!

Looking Ahead

Coach Guardiola still deals with COVID outbreak amongst group and at least Ederson, Torres and 4 others remain in isolation. Walker and Jesus only just back training after having virus and not sure if they will be ready.

Also Laporte and Ake nurse muscle issues and both doubtful.

Aguero could start up front in this one, especially considering his excellent scoring record vs. Man United (9 goals in 15 Manchester derbies).

Manager Comments

"We don't have many players, To play one, two games is okay but if sustained for a long time - and you can use just 14 or 15 players - it will be more difficult. The important thing is the guys who have Covid recover well and the others try to avoid it as much as possible."

Suspended
  • ---
Unavailable
Doubtful (chance of availability) Rested
  • ---
Probable Starting 11
Probable Bench

Key

Key players
Regular players
Support players
75% - Chance of availability
Artificial Pitch
Universal Player Grid
Squad Confirmed
Played in Cup fixture
New Information

Team Strength*

Excellent
Good
Satisfactory
Just Adequate
Poor
*Based on Available Players
Game Score
Round 1/4 Final
Brentford - Newcastle United 1 - 0
Arsenal - Manchester City 1 - 4
Stoke City - Tottenham Hotspur 1 - 3
Everton - Manchester United 0 - 2
Round 1/2 Final
Tottenham Hotspur - Brentford 2 - 0
Manchester United - Manchester City 0 - 2