City have lost just two of their 23 EFL Cup matches under Guardiola (W17 D4), though both defeats have come versus the hosts (in 2016 and 2020). Guardiola has lost three of his six matches against Solskjaer (50%), his worst loss percentage against any manager he has faced at least five times.
Guardiola opts for two changes from last time out, with Mahrez and captain Fernandinho replacing Rodri and Silva. Ederson and Scott Carson remain out with Covid-19, so Steffen continues in goal, while 18-year-old goalkeeper Trafford fills in on the bench.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer makes two changes to his starting eleven that defeated Villa. De Gea is rotated out for cup goalkeeper Henderson and Lindelof comes in for Bailly to partner Maguire at the back.
SUBS: Kyle Walker, Gabriel Jesus, Sergio Aguero, Rodri, Benjamin Mendy, Taylor Harwood-Bellis, Felix Nmecha, James Trafford, Luke Mbete.
MANCHESTER CITY (4-2-3-1): Zack Steffen; Joao Cancelo, Ruben Dias, John Stones, Oleksandr Zinchenko; Fernandinho, Ilkay Gundogan; Kevin De Bruyne, Riyad Mahrez, Phil Foden; Raheem Sterling.
SUBS: David de Gea, Alex Telles, Eric Bailly, Axel Tuanzebe, Daniel James, Juan Mata, Donny van de Beek, Mason Greenwood, Nemanja Matic.
MANCHESTER UNITED (4–3-1-2): Dean Henderson; Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof, Luke Shaw; Scott McTominay, Fred, Paul Pogba; Bruno Fernandes; Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial.
The two Manchester sides meet in the EFL Cup semi-final for the second year in a row, however, this time it will only be a one-legged affair. To reach the semi-finals, the hosts overcame Everton, while Pep Guardiola’s men coasted past Arsenal. In the league, victories over Aston Villa and Chelsea respectively, have only increased the anticipation of a mouth-watering derby here.
Hello and welcome to live coverage of the EFL Cup semi-final between Manchester United and Manchester City.
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