Manchester United press on in defending their League Cup title tomorrow night with a visit to Swansea City in the tournament’s round of 16. Known as the EFL Cup last year, it’s been re-branded the Carabao Cup, and who knows what name it will be called next year.
Regarding injuries, let’s just get straight into it, as there’s a long compilation of walking wounded to run through.
The Sports Bank’s Man United Starting XI Prediction: go to this link
Paul Pogba remains out as he continues rehabilitation on the hamstring injury which has kept him out seven weeks and counting. A new report emerged in the past couple of days that claims he could return in December, and that’s the best case scenario- yikes!
Official news about Pogba’s return has been extremely tight-lipped, so the speculation from the Daily Star is what we’ll have to go with on this one.
His midfield mate Marouane Fellaini is also likely not going to see any action due to the knee injury he suffered while on international duty. At the time of prognosis, Belgium said he would be out a couple of weeks.
So much for that! The goalposts keep getting moves further back on that that injury as well.
Sticking in the midfield, Michael Carrick will most likely not see his first action of the season in this one, as he still has calf issues. Defender Phil Jones went off with injury problems in the loss to Huddersfield, but it’s thought that he might be okay for this clash.
Phil Jones not limping badly or looking in too much pain as he came through mixed zone. Had looked a nasty hip knock during game #mufc
— Ciaran Kelly (@CiaranKelly__) October 21, 2017
Elsewhere in the back line, Eric Bailly is not expected to be in contention.
Marcos Rojo and Zlatan Ibrahimovic remain on the sidelines after ACL injuries suffered in April.
Given the latest Ibrahimovic timeline, with the idea that he could return before the new year, plus the latest Pogba narrative, don’t be surprised if they return around the same time. It’s actually conceivable now that Ibra returns first, an idea that seemed unfathomable in September.
Odds via Bet Victor: United- 9/20 Swansea- 6/1 draw- 33/10
Prediction: United 3, Swansea 0
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net and TheBank.News, which is partnered with News Now and Minute Media. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times, NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, currently contributes regularly to WGN CLTV and Chicago Now.
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