Jose Mourinho will name a strong Manchester United side against Burton Albion as they embark on defending the Carabao Cup this season.
As one might expect, Jose Mourinho is set to make several changes for Manchester United’s Carabao Cup encounter against Burton Albion. Captain Michael Carrick, left-back Luke Shaw and midfielder Scott McTominay are all in contention to play their first minutes of the season. The list also includes back-up goalkeeper Sergio Romero.
Paul Pogba will be out after enduring a hamstring injury against FC Basel while Axel Tuanzebe is suffering from a back injury. They will join Marcos Rojo and Zlatan Ibrahimovic (both knee) on the sidelines when United welcome Burton to Old Trafford tonight.
Shaw seems to be ready to feature tonight. The left-back has been at the receiving end of a lot of criticism due to his seemingly slow recovery. However, he has played the last three games for the Under-23s and will hope to get a start against Burton.
Meanwhile, Mourinho will also exclude David De Gea, Antonio Valencia, Eric Bailly and Nemanja Matic from the squad to provide them some rest. The boss explained his decision when he spoke at the pre-match press conference.
“No,” Mourinho replied when asked if he would completely change his team. “I gave two days off only to four players, apart from that everybody is selected. Do you want to know which four? David de Gea, Antonio Valencia, Matic and Bailly.
“Because it’s football, it’s competition, we take it serious, of course it’s not playing David or Bailly but if we go through to the next round these guys probably play and I give rest to others,” said Mourinho. “Of course, we’re not playing David or Bailly but, if we go to the next round, probably these guys will play and I will give a rest to others.”
As far as options up front are concerned, Carrick and Ander Herrera could get playing time from the start, as does Jesse Lingard. Ashley Young and Anthony Martial can offer enough support down the flanks and Marcus Rashford should have no trouble striking up a rapport with his teammate Jesse Lingard from a central role.
