EFL Cup 2016: Manchester United vs Manchester City - Five things to watch out for
The Manchester derby is here again as Manchester City and Manchester United square off at Old Trafford, in the EFL Cup Round-of-16 fixture on Wednesday. City had the last laugh in the previous Premier League encounter between the two sides, as they ran 2-1 winners at the Theatre of Dreams.
The match comes at a stage where both teams are going through a lean period and will hence be looking to make a statement come Wednesday. Here are five things that we need to look out for in this blockbuster clash:
#5 Injuries in both squads
Eric Bailly will be unavailable for United due to the knee injury he picked up in the second half at Stamford Bridge, while Wayne Rooney is a question mark after missing that game with a muscle problem. Marouane Fellaini is the latest to be added to that list as he faces time out owing to a knee trouble.
Phil Jones remains unavailable and Henrikh Mkhitaryan, whose last game was the Manchester derby in September, is also working his way back to full fitness.
Meanwhile, the Citizens are expected to be without creative midfielder Kevin De Bruyne, who went off injured in their 1-1 draw with Southampton at the weekend due to a calf problem. The Belgian, who scored the opener in the last derby, had just recovered from a hamstring injury but will have to spend more time on the sidelines.
Pep Guardiola will also be without the services of England international Fabian Delph and former Arsenal defender Bacary Sagna on Wednesday, while experienced full-back Pablo Zabaleta remains a major doubt.