Manchester United vs Colchester Predictions

• Man Utd can earn a spot in the Carabao Cup semi finals with a win – a competition they’ve won on five previous occasions.
• Colchester already knocked out Premier League clubs Crystal Palace and Tottenham Hotspur earlier in the competitions.
• The League Two outfit failed to score in each game however and needed penalties to progress.
• Colchester scored one or fewer goals in 11 of their last 16 games in all competitions.

United targeting Carabao Cup glory

Manchester United renew their pursuit of the Carabao Cup on Wednesday when they welcome League Two side Colchester to Old Trafford for a quarter final tussle.

With football’s biggest prizes out of reach for United and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer this season, success in the much-maligned League Cup could pave the way for future success and help to instil a winning mentality into a very young squad.

With a semi final berth on offer, Solskjaer is unlikely to make wholesale changes to the team that was held to a 1-1 draw by Everton on Sunday, though youngsters Axel Tuanzebe and Brandon Williams could be given another chance to shine.

Sunday’s super sub and goal scoring hero Mason Greenwood is also expected to start, while Ashley Young, Nemanja Matic and Juan Mata could all be handed vital minutes to keep their match fitness topped up.

A third Premier League scalp on offer for Colchester

Colchester, who are languishing in 8^th position in League Two, have enjoyed an incredible run in the Carabao Cup this season, and John McGreal’s men will be looking for their third Premier League scalp of the campaign this week.

In rounds two and three of the competition, Colchester dumped Crystal Palace and Tottenham out of the tournament, ousting their more illustrious opponents via a penalty shootout after 0-0 draws on both occasions.

The U’s showed a dogged determination and robust defensive organisation in both of those encounters, though the lack of attacking thrust they displayed at the other end is something that has held them back all season.

Colchester’s lack of bite up front

Colchester scored one or fewer goals in 11 of their last 16 matches in all competitions, and we think that lack of spark in forward areas will see them struggle again on Wednesday.

Manchester United have been far from secure defensively this season, though they have looked more comfortable in home games against weaker opposition in cup competitions, keeping clean sheets against Astana, Partizan Belgrade and AZ at Old Trafford already this term.

With the gap in class between the teams and Colchester’s dearth of quality up front established, we think United are priced generously to win to nil on Wednesday, while our correct score prediction is tipping Solskjaer’s men to run out comfortable 3-0 winners.

United’s attacking play has been improving in recent months, and their 1-1 draw with Everton on Sunday was just the third time in 12 matches where they failed to score two or more goals.

United rattled the net a combined seven times in their last two cup fixtures at Old Trafford, and we’re tipping them to keep the goals coming against League Two Colchester this week.