Manchester United vs Barnsley: League Cup Preview

Manchester United will begin their League Cup campaign hosting Barnsley at Old Trafford on Tuesday evening. The Red Devils won the competition two seasons ago giving Erik Ten Hag his first piece silverware at the club and come into this game after a much needed win at the weekend.

Before the international break, United lost 3-0 to their rivals Liverpool but the Reds needed to respond, being the early kick off in the league on Saturday. They deliver a 3-0 victory over Southampton despite an early scare in the first half.

We had struggled with the Saints constant pressing and attacking positions. Diogo Dalot’s conceded a penalty which was saved by Andre Onana. Matthijs De Ligt and Marcus Rashford scored in the last ten minutes of the half to put us into a 2-0 lead at break.

United controlled the second half with Alejandro Garnacho adding a third to see out the win with Southampton being reduced down to ten men following Jack Stephens’ red card.

Focus now turns to the league cup as we looked to progress to the fourth round, the stage where exited the competition last season. Newcastle United won 3-0 at Old Trafford though the Reds went onto to win the FA Cup to make up for it, so a better run in the League Cup is expected.

Manchester United Team News

Erik Ten Hag is likely to use this game to give those fringe players in the squad some minutes. Defensive injuries could force his selection plans. Matthijs De Ligt, Lisandro Martinez and Noussair Mazraoui were all subbed off at Southampton. De Ligt did reveal after that this was due to cramp.

Martinez and Mazraoui will be given fitness tests ahead of the game. This could see Harry Maguire and Jonny Evans start in the centre of the defence. Manuel Ugarte could be set for his full debut afternoon making a substitute appearance at Southampton. Casemiro, Antony and Garnacho could be in the starting eleven.

Manchester United Possible Lineup

Onana; 

Dalot; Maguire, Evans, Amass; 

Casemiro, Ugarte, Collyer; 

Antony, Zirkzee, Garnacho.

Opposition Preview

Barnsley had taken 10 points from their last four league games before they suffered a 3-0 loss away at Stevenage on the weekend, which was their first defeat since the opening day of the season. The result leaves them outside of the playoff places at this moment but it has been a good start for the Tykes.

Their other loss of the season was against Manchester United under 21s in the EFL trophy and are expected to suffer another one at Old Trafford this time. To be fair, Barnsley had named a changed side. Manager Darrell Clarke went for a much stronger lineup in the League Cup securing wins over Wigan Athletic and Sheffield United.

It will be the first meeting between both sides since United knocked them out of the same competition back in 2009. Barnsley had beaten the Reds in the FA Cup back in 1998.

Barnsley Team News

For our opponents, they will be without Conor Hourihane. Max Watters and Fabio Jalo returned from injury at the weekend to feature in the defeat away at Stevenage. Defender Donovan Pines was subbed off at half time but this was a precautionary measure and should be fit to start.

Form Guide

Manchester United form (all competitions): LWLLW

Barnsley League Cup form: WW

Barnsley form (all competitions): DWWWL

Prediction

It is expected to be a rotated side from the one that played against Southampton as there are important league and European games in the next couple of weeks. We should have more than enough to overcome the League One outfit.

Manchester United 3-0 Barnsley