Guardiola: ‘We were back like we were two or three seasons ago’
Both sides come into the tie in terrific form, with United able to go three points clear of Liverpool at the top of the Premier League if they win their game in hand. Since being knockout out of the Champions League by RB Leipzig, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side are unbeaten in their last seven matches and defeated Everton 2-0 in the quarter-finals to secure their place in the final four. They will be without striker Edinson Cavani, though, who is still serving a three-match ban as United aim to win their first piece of silverware under Solskjaer.
Meanwhile, City are finally beginning to resemble the team of old that dominated English football. Pep Guardiola’s side are unbeaten in 11 matches and have clawed back to within four points of Liverpool and still boast two games in hand. However, City have been rocked by a coronavirus outbreak that saw their fixture against Everton postponed and their training ground closed. Ederson, Gabriel Jesus, Kyle Walker, Ferran Torres and Eric Garcia were all absent from the matchday squad for City’s terrific victory over Chelsea last time out, while the club confirmed earlier today that Scott Carson and Cole Palmer have now also tested positive for the virus. Follow all the action live below:
Manchester United are unbeaten in their last three games against Manchester City in all competitions with two wins and a draw. They’ve also done so without conceding a goal. They haven’t gone four without defeat against their rivals since February 2011.
Michael Jones6 January 2021 19:20
We have developed a lot in the last 12 months from last season’s EFL Cup semi-final,
“It is not just a case of learning how to win them, it is earning the right to go all the way. But we are confident and we are in good form. There are no excuses.”
Michael Jones6 January 2021 19:16
When questioned whether getting to a final would be an important step up for his team Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said:
I think so yeah, both in the development of the team and for our fans as well, that we are believing, we are hoping now that we get closer to a trophy and get our hands on that trophy. We are better than what we were six months ago in Europe, or the FA Cup semi or definitely a year back when we got to the Carabao Cup semi. We’ve improved, we have developed and hopefully we’ve developed enough to go all the way to the final.”
Michael Jones6 January 2021 19:14
This is the fourth time Man Utd and Man City have met in the League Cup semi-finals, also doing so in 1969/70, 2009/10 and 2019/20,. It’s the joint-most of any fixture along with Arsenal vs Tottenham Hotspur.
Michael Jones6 January 2021 19:12
The Manchester City boss added:
United has always been a big club, when I faced them with Barcelona, Bayern Munich and here, it was always important.
“It is a rivalry in the city and for many decades United was above Manchester City. For us, we are incredibly proud and it is an honour for the last decade to be there with them and sometimes win, most of the times, and sometimes lose.
“They have always been contenders for the title. Every year, when we start the season, United is a contender. If it didn’t happen in the last few seasons, it is a question for them.
“It is no different facing United or other contenders. We play finals against Arsenal, against Chelsea with Mauricio Sarri, who’s an incredible manager, we face different opponents and last season it was Aston Villa.
“We know exactly what Aston Villa this season has done, so every year it has been against tough opponents. This season is the same. When you play the cup competitions at the end of these competitions you have to face tough, tough opponents.”
Michael Jones6 January 2021 19:08
Pep Guardiola says his Manchester City side have the desire to get to the Carabao Cup final for a fourth year in the row even though they have to go through Manchester United to get there. He said:
“The team has won it three times in a row and we are in the semi-final for the fourth time in a row, so it means a lot,
“If it were not important then we would drop it before. It is the semi-final, we cannot expect a more difficult rival than we are going to face, but we have the desire to play well and get to another final.”
Michael Jones6 January 2021 19:05
Tottenham await for whichever side comes out on top tonight. Holders Manchester City have won the competition in five of the last seven seasons and would join Liverpool as eight-time winners with another success this year.
Michael Jones6 January 2021 19:01
Michael Jones6 January 2021 18:59
Michael Jones6 January 2021 18:57
Team news – Changes
Both sides make two changes to the teams that started last time out in the Premier League.
For United Ole Gunnar Solskjaer brings Dean Henderson back in goal with Victor Lindelof taking his place next to Harry Maguire as Eric Bailly drops out.
Pep Guardiola switches up his midfield bringing Fernandinho in for Rodri and Riyad Mahrez for Bernardo Silva.
Michael Jones6 January 2021 18:54
