Manchester United host League One side Rochdale in the EFL Cup on Wednesday.
Rochdale have already beaten Bolton and Carlisle to make it to this stage of the competition, while this be United’s first EFL Cup match of the season.
Man Utd have made an inconsistent start to the 2019/20 campaign and currently find themselves sitting in 8th place in the Premier League table (W2-D2-L2).
On the other hand, Rochdale are down in 17th in League One after losing 4 of their 9 matches so far this season (W2-D4-L3).
Rochdale are without a win in three league games and suffered a heavy 6-0 defeat to Peterborough in that time.
Manchester United are also on a poor run of form after winning just one of their last five league matches.
Man Utd were beaten 2-0 by West Ham last time out, and manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will no doubt be looking for a response from his players against Rochdale.
The club has a lengthy injury list, so we could see a number of United’s youngsters being given an opportunity to make a name for themselves in this competition.
Angel Gomes, Tahith Chong, Mason Greenwood, and James Garner are all likely to play some part on Wednesday.
Paul Pogba is also expected to return to the starting eleven after missing a number of matches due to injury.
As for Rochdale, Eoghan O’Connell came off injured in their last match, and may not recover in time to face Man Utd.
You have to go all the way back to 1986 for the one and only meeting between these two teams.
Manchester United beat Rochdale 2-0 in the third-round of the FA Cup at Old Trafford on that occasion.
The Red Devils are expected to come away with a victory this time around, but Rochdale will undoubtedly be looking to put up a fight.
#MUFC are back at Old Trafford on Wednesday, when we host Rochdale in the #CarabaoCup third round. pic.twitter.com/46melsZcIe— Manchester United (@ManUtd) September 24, 2019
#MUFC are back at Old Trafford on Wednesday, when we host Rochdale in the #CarabaoCup third round. pic.twitter.com/46melsZcIe
For many of Rochdale’s players, this will be the only opportunity they will get to play at Old Trafford, so they will be busting a gut to impress.
However, Manchester United should cruise into round four and shouldn’t struggle against League One opposition.
Forebet predicts a Man Utd win, but we could see their leaky defence concede a goal in the process.