Manchester United have gathered real momentum since being dumped out of the Champions League at the start of December. They are unbeaten in their last seven matches (W5, D2) and have climbed to second in the Premier League in that time. They need silverware to show for the progress made under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, having lost at the semi-final stage of cup competitions three times last season.

After limping along for weeks, everything clicked for Manchester City on Sunday after they turned in a season-best performance to beat Chelsea 3-1 at Stamford Bridge on Sunday. Pep Guardiola was delighted with the display and it comes at the perfect moment ahead of Wednesday's Carabao Cup cup semi-final with rivals Manchester United, having remarkably failed to score in their last four away to the Red Devils.

Manchester united's team news
With a decent break between games and the opportunity to hand fringe players a run out in the FA Cup at the weekend, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer may name a relatively unchanged side from the 2-1 win over Aston Villa last week.

Dean Henderson was put through his paces on the Old Trafford pitch after United's win over Villa, suggesting he will start the Carabao Cup semi-final against neighbourhood rivals Manchester City.

Luke Shaw and Alex Telles have traded places in the team in recent weeks but there is a chance they could both line-up on Wednesday if Solskjaer reverts to a 3-4-1-2 formation against City.

Manchester city's team news
Ederson, Gabriel Jesus, Kyle Walker, Ferran Torres ad Eric Garcia all look set to miss out because of COVID-19. Scott Carson and Cole Palmer also tested positive on the eve of the match.

Aymeric Laporte, who has dropped completely out of favour over the last month, is an injury doubt.

Despite a quick turnaround for Manchester City, Pep Guardiola is expected to stick with the bulk of the side that easily dispatched Chelsea 3-1 on Sunday. With so many missing through COVID-19, he has little choice anyway.

Guardiola has eased Sergio Aguero back into the swing of things following a long spell out injured and he looks more likely to start in the FA Cup at the weekend rather than at Old Trafford.
Riyad Mahrez, Benjamin Mendy and Fernandinho are realistic options to start against Manchester United.

Kevin De Bruyne played as a false nine against former club Chelsea but may drop back into his usual position against United, with Sterling through the middle. Phil Foden should retain his place in the side after a superb showing at the weekend.

Prediction
This competition has been won by ones of these sides the last five years, with City lifting it on four occasions including the last three in a row. Guardiola has made this competition his own since arriving at City but United are moving in the right direction to end that on Wednesday.
Man Utd 1 - 2 Manchester city is my correct score prediction.