Carabao Cup: Manchester United vs Manchester City predicted lineups

Manchester City's Raheem Sterling reacts as Manchester United's Harry Maguire tackles during the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester United and Manchester City at Old Trafford in Manchester, England. Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020. [AP Photo/Michael Regan/ Pool via AP]

Manchester United welcome holders and Derby rivals Manchester City to Old Trafford tonight in the semi-finals of the English League Cup - EFL (Carabao Cup). 

Having been eliminated by City in the same stage last year, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will have to produce an excellent performance to outclass Pep Guardiola’s side, who proved world-class yet again in the weekend against Chelsea. 

Manchester United could have two absentees in Victor Lindelof and Edinson Cavani through injury and a ban respectively but will rely on in-form Eric Bailly, with Mason Greenwood also among the forward options. 

Marcus Rashford, Bruno Fernandes and Captain harry Maguire could start, with Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Luke Shaw completing the Man United back-line. 

In midfield, Solskjaer could opt for Paul Pogba, who was outstanding against Aston Villa in the Premier League, with Fred and Scott McTominay also in contention to start. 

Aiming to win the competition for the fourth time in a row, Manchester City will look to cope with the COVID-19 cases in their squad, having reported three more on Wednesday - reserve goalkeeper Scott Carson, midfielder Cole Palmer and a member of staff have tested positive.

Soccer Football - Premier League - Manchester United v Manchester City - Old Trafford, Manchester, Britain - December 12, 2020, Manchester City's Kevin De Bruyne shoots at goal from a free-kick [Reuters, Paul Ellis]

Goalkeeper Zack Steffen looks likely to start, with Benjamin Mendy, Ruben Dias, Joao Cancelo and John Stones most likely the preferred defensive options. 

Kevin De Bruyne, Ilkay Gundogan and Rodri could feature in City’s midfield, with Raheem Sterling, Phil Foden and Sergio Aguero completing the attack. 

The winner of this clash will face Jose Mourinho’s Tottenham Hotspur in Wembley on Sunday, April 25. 

Predicted line-ups

Manchester United

Dean Henderson, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Eric Bailly, Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw, Fred, Scott McTominay, Marcus Rashford, Bruno Fernandes, Paul Pogba, Mason Greenwood

Manchester City:

Zack Steffen, Joao Cancelo, John Stones, Ruben Dias, Benjamin Mendy, Rodri, Ilkay Gundogan, Raheem Sterling, Kevin De Bruyne, Phil Foden, Sergio Aguero