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4-3-3: How Man Utd should line up vs Burton

Manchester United start the defence of their EFL Cup in the third round against Burton Albion at Old Trafford this evening.

Jose Mourinho is expected to make wholesale changes from the side that thrashed Everton 4-0 in the Premier League over the weekend, ahead of this Saturday’s trip to Southampton.

The Championship strugglers may only have eight points from their first eight games of the season but Nigel Clough’s side have only lost one of their last five in the league, eliminated Cardiff City in the last round and beat Fulham at the weekend.

Here is the United team I think we’ll see taking on Burton:

Sergio Romero

Jose has already confirmed that David de Gea will be rested for this match, so Sergio Romero will make his first appearance of the season.  The Argentine was our EFL Cup goalkeeper for our first match last season, against Northampton Town, but that proved to be Romero’s only appearance in the competition in 2016-17.

Matteo Darmian

The boss has also confirmed Antonio Valencia will be rested for this game but that comes as no surprise.  Ashley Young is establishing himself as a first-choice full-back now so backup Matteo Darmian is the most-likely to come in at right-back to face the Championship side.

Victor Lindelof

Mourinho confirmed after our Champions League win over FC Basel last week that Victor Lindelof and Chris Smalling will be the centre-back pairing for this game.

Chris Smalling

This will only be Chris Smalling’s second appearance of the season but he kept a clean sheet alongside Lindelof in his only other appearance so far.

Luke Shaw

We have plenty of options at left-back with the exception of Marcos Rojo being injured.  Daley Blind has played the majority of games here this season whilst Ashley Young started the weekend’s win over Everton in this position.  However, I think it will be Luke Shaw starting at left-back this evening as many are expecting.  The 22-year-old was available for the first time this season over the weekend, but not selected.  Shaw offers Mourinho another option and I expect the boss will want to get him back to full fitness.

Ander Herrera

The Spaniard has had limited opportunities so far this season but this should be a game that Ander Herrera gets to prove himself to Mourinho was once, particularly for the coming weeks during Paul Pogba’s absence.  Burton are expected to play a 3-5-2 formation so I think we’ll also play with three central midfielders in reverting to a 4-3-3 formation.

Michael Carrick

Michael Carrick hasn’t kicked a ball for us so far this season so this has to be the opportunity he’s been waiting for.  Mourinho has said Nemanja Matic will be rested, and with Pogba sidelined, Carrick is one of the few options available to play in a central midfield three.

Marouane Fellaini

We’ve not conceded a goal whilst Marouane Fellaini has been on the pitch this season and we’ve scored in every game that he has been on.  The Belgian international deservedly got his start versus former club Everton over the weekend and should be called upon again to face Burton this evening.

Jesse Lingard

The England international has had a couple of run outs of late and posed a real threat in his 30-minute appearance over the weekend.  Mourinho appears to be a big fan of Jesse Lingard so I have to assume he’ll get the start down the right with Juan Mata rested.

Marcus Rashford

Marcus Rashford has been in excellent form to start the season down the left wing but with Zlatan Ibrahimovic a long way from making his return and Romelu Lukaku expected to get a break, I think we’ll see the 19-year-old get another chance to shine up front.  Potentially up against the likes of Jake Buxton and Ben Turner you’d fancy his chances of scoring in this one, if not a couple of goals.  The alternate option would be Anthony Martial up front and Ashley Young down the left.

Anthony Martial

Whilst Anthony Martial has made an incredible impact as an impact sub with a goal in each of his three appearances off the bench this season, the French international has to start this one.  His pace could be a real threat to John Brayford and the Burton defence.

Here’s the United team on paper:

This team should have more than enough quality to see-off Burton at Old Trafford so it’s got home-banker written all over it. The bookmakers obviously know this so we’re 1/12 on to progress to the fourth round meaning there isn’t much value in having a bet. However, if you use a bet365 bonus code then you can bag a huge welcome bonus and essentially bet for free. Backing a 3-0 United win at 10/1 would ensure you have the chance to win a decent bet with very little risk involved.