Indeed, I believe it is a big clash despite it being the least glamorous trophy of the lot.

However, given the situations of both clubs in that they're pretty shite, this competition could provide the chance to win silverware which would help both Spurs and United a whole bunch.

I think Ange "Mate" Postecoglou and Ruben "Him" Amorim are going to take this match super seriously.

It should be a cracker.

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Predicted Lineup

And I begin with perhaps one of the more interesting aspects of the match: United's team, which we should no doubt have known by Tuesday night.

Hopefully the club will have sorted this pretty big issue out by kick off.

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If Bayindir hasn't played under Amorim yet, I don't think he'll select him in this match although it could perhaps be a chance for the manager to rotate Onana, who has played every minute for the new boss.

Maguire and De Ligt to keep their starting spots. While the former captain played the whole game on Sunday, he should be relatively fresh having not featured in the team for a while. De Ligt came off with 15 minutes remaining allowing him some time to rest ahead of tonight.

Yoro will be the third of the trio with Martinez dropping to the bench.

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Malacia to return at left wing-back and if I may so myself, he has done a reasonably good job since his comeback. Dalot moves to the right in place of Mazraoui who has a slight injury concern.

I've brought in both Mainoo and Casemiro as the midfield pair as Ugarte drops to the bench with Bruno moving further forward into his preferred number 10 position.

Garnacho makes a reutrn to the starting XI after being left out of the derby. He'll play alongside his captain as the other CAM.

Rashford has reportedly not traveled with the squad for this match. With his recent interview, omission from the derby squad and not featuring tonight, does this mean we are coming to the end?

Zirkzee replaces Hojlund as the striker.

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Approach

What we've done in the last two away games against Arsenal and City should be a blueprint for what Amorim would want to do at the Spurs Stadium.

However, should he make changes, which I believe he will, can those he rotates back into the team play as those who featured in the derby? Ideally, that is where he wants to get with his squad in that whoever he selects, he would want the style to stay the same, but it remains to be seen whether the bench options can continue the good work done by the first team.

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What we have done well is looked good on the ball and we actually had a lot of possession. In both games against our big 6 rivals, United had nigh on 50% possession which isn't something we've been used to in recent years. Usually we just sit deep and hit on the break but that is not what Amorim wants to do.

I think he will look to gain controlled possession once more.

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Without Ugarte in midfield, I do believe we miss something. Casemiro isn't as good as he once was and so that defensive work that he'll need to do as the CDM could be a problem for us.

The Brazilian isn't as quick across the ground, is slow in the tackle and often leaves his area vacant in attempting to win the ball back. Ugarte also has a great ability to breakup play. His interceptions, blocks and tackles are far greater than that of his South American counterpart. Ugarte is also great at winning the ball higher up the field which isn't something that Casemiro has done that well.

Due to all this, Ugarte's partner has been more free to do what he will but as Casemiro is worse, will his partner be able to do as much as he wants or will he have to help cover for the number 18?

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Pressing from the front may be a bit of a problem because out of the front three, only Bruno knows how to press well. Both Zirkzee and Garnacho aren't necessarily the best when it comes to putting the opponents under pressure from the front, which could allow Spurs to pass through them easily.

It would make more sense for United to put our opponents under pressure high up because they will be without their main centre-backs Christian Romero and Micky van de Ven who are good on the ball. Should they find a way passed our high press, it could be an issue for Amorim.

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Spurs do like to play a high line which is an area where we can exploit them. What Garnacho make lack in work rate, he makes up for in speed. He is one of the faster players in the squad and gives us that other option to hit the ball long in behind for that run.

Zirkzee likes to drop deeper which has the potential to pull a defender or two away from that final third area which creates more space for Garnacho or Bruno to run into the space. The only issue will be having someone on the field who can actually find them with a pass. No one seems to have that same range as the captain and if Martinez isn't playing, it would make things harder because as we saw on the weekend, he does have that passing range.

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Form

United head into this one on the back of two straight 2-1 wins away from home first at Viktoria Plzen in the Europa League last Thursday followed by that dramatic win in the derby on Sunday.

In this competition, MUFC have been in the goals as they've scored 12 while conceding just 2. This is because United beat Barnsley 7-0 and then Leicester 5-2 in what was Ruud van Nistelrooy's first game in charge after the sacking of Erik ten Hag.

So we've had it pretty easy so far but they decided to make it even easier by giving us Tottenham 😅.

Spurs away is no doubt our hardest of the three but Ruben's Reds should be coming into this one full of confidence after the derby triumph.

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Spurs

As for Ange and Tottenham, they have been very much like what we expect. Beat the better teams then drop stupid points against those they should be defeating comfortably.

However, they managed to do just that in their last league game as they hammered Southampton so badly, they ended up sacking manager Russell Martin as Spurs romped to a 5-0 win at St. Mary's.

That was their first win in seven after beating City 4-0 at The Emptihad. But that incredible win was followed by draws against Roma, Fulham and Rangers along with losses to Bournemouth and Chelsea.

Very Spursey indeed.

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In this competition, mate hasn't had it as easy as United as they defeated Coventry City 2-1 away from home and then Man City 2-1 in the round of 16. Much like Amorim, two games against the Premier League champions this season, two wins for Postecoglou.

But a massive issue for the Tottenham boss is injuries. All of Rodrigo Bentancur (suspension), Christian Romero, Micky van de Ven, Richarlison, Ben Davies (all hamstring), and Guglielmo Vicario (ankle) will be out for this game.

That is Ange's main goalkeeper, centre-back pairing and midfielder unavailable for a match that can be as important for them as it is for us.

However, Postecoglou said that he always wins things in his second season wherever he's been.

Not sure why he joined Spurs then 🤷‍♂️.

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Prediction

I think with the way both teams want to play and how both teams are currently playing, I wouldn't be surprised if this game was open. On the other hand, both managers may want to limit chances and keep things tighter.

Both sides have also come off of the back of wins which will give them a lot of confidence for tonight.

The other meeting between the two saw Spurs walk all over us in the league at Old Trafford earlier in the season thanks to a 3-0 win. This gives us a chance to get some revenge over them.

That's exactly what I believe will happen as in the end, I do think that United will have a little more than Spurs and get the job done. A 3-2 victory for Amorim is my prediction as I see a few goals being scored.

You reckon we will head into the semifinals?

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Background Image: Kobbie Mainoo | Image via Manchester United official X (@ManUtd)