Manchester United vs Barnsley (Carabao Cup): Preview, Expected XI and Prediction
Manchester United host Barnsley in the Carabao Cup third round on Tuesday (September 17), and fans will expect them to build on their 3-0 win away at Southampton. Matthijs de Ligt, Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho were on target at St Mary's Stadium (September 14). It was a vital victory, as the Red Devils had lost their previous two games.
Darrell Clarke takes his side to Old Trafford with them sitting seventh in the EFL League One table. This is the same team United's U21s side beat 3-2 in the group stages of the Football League Trophy in August. Erik ten Hag may be expected to give youngsters such as Ethan Wheatley and Harry Amass the chance to impress on Tuesday.
Manchester United vs. Barnsley Preview
Manchester United will be buoyed by their 3-0 victory away to the Saints, which could prove to be a turning point in their season. A 2-1 loss to Brighton in the dying embers at the Amex and a humiliating 3-0 home defeat to Liverpool before the international break had threatened to place pressure back on Ten Hag's shoulders.
The last time these two sides met was in the FA Cup in 2009 and United came out on top in that game. Danny Welbeck and Michael Owen grabbed the goals on that occasion which paints the picture for how long it's been since the teams have collided.
Manchester United have won 22 of 38 games against Barnsley, with Tuesday's visitors only victorious on five occasions. The last time the Tykes beat the Red Devils was in the FA Cup in 1998 and they will be huge underdogs at Old Trafford.
Manchester United Expected XI vs. Barnsley
Predicted Manchester United XI: Bayindir; Dalot, Maguire, Evans, Amass; Casemiro, Collyer, Eriksen; Amad, Zirkzee, Garnacho
Ten Hag may opt to tinker with the team that beat Southampton, and defensive changes can be expected. There was cause for concern when Lisandro Martinez and Matthijs de Ligt were brought off in the latter stages against the Saints, and a rest will be vital.
Casemiro showed improvement coming on in that game after a day to forget in the loss to Liverpool. The veteran Brazilian midfielder could partner Toby Collyer who is one of the club's excting young talents fastracked into the senior team.
Its difficult to call which attack Ten Hag will go with but his ominous comments regarding Antony in training suggest he's not too pleased with his former Ajax winger. He may look to continue with Amad while letting Garnacho start from the off and giving Rashford a rest.
Manchester United vs. Barnsley Prediction
Manchester United should have an easy night at Old Trafford against Barnsley and their younger stars could steal the show. Garnacho, if he starts, will undoubtedly want to continue his fine form of three goals contributions in five games so far this season.
The Tykes were thrashed 3-0 by Stevenage last time out so they'll be wounded heading into this game. They have been in topsy-turvy form in the third tier of English football so far this season.
Prediction: Manchester United 3-0 Barnsley
Where to watch and match details
Match Information: Manchester United vs Barnsley
Location: Old Trafford
When: 17/9/2024
Kick-Off: 20:00 GMT
TV: Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Premier League and Sky Sports Ultra HDR
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