United determined not to stray from Wembley way
Michael Carrick on Tuesday pledged that Manchester United will not rest on its laurels when it travels to Hull City looking to close out victory in its League Cup semifinal.
United won the first leg 2-0 at Old Trafford thanks to second-half strikes from Juan Mata and Marouane Fellaini, putting it within reach of a Wembley showdown with Liverpool or Southampton.
But Hull has shown signs of improvement under new manager Marco Silva, posing Premier League leader Chelsea some problems in Sunday’s 2-0 loss at Stamford Bridge, and Carrick said United will take no chances.
“It’s definitely not over, we all know that,” the 35-year-old midfielder told MUTV.
“We are telling ourselves that. I think we’ll be pretty much full-strength and will approach the game like it’s 0-0 and starting from scratch.
“It’s dangerous when you go in there defending a lead to tell yourself this result will do or that result will do, or we can afford to do this or that.
“We need to approach it like any other game, keep our focus and intensity and try to win the game.”
After a run of nine straight wins in all competitions, Unit ed’ s advance towards Champions League places was held up by 1-1 draws with Liverpool and Stoke City.
United is sixth in the Premier League standings, four points off the top four, but Carrick said a Wembley final appearance will show Jose Mourinho’s men are on the right track.
“Going to Wembley, winning a trophy, how can you not like that?” said Carrick, whose side last reached a League Cup final in 2010, when it beat Aston Villa 2-1 to claim the trophy for a fourth time.
“Especially when we feel we are as close as we are to getting there, without taking anything for granted.
“That’s what you play for and that’s what the fans want to watch. They want to go and celebrate victories and win things, lift trophies, have a good day out and enjoy it.”
Shirts of support
Hull’s preparations have been overshadowed by the serious head injury sustained by midfielder Ryan Mason at Chelsea.
The 25-year-old underwent surgery at a London hospital after fracturing his skull in an aerial collision with Gary Cahill. Hull said on Tuesday he was making “excellent progress”.
Hull’s players will wear ‘MASON 25’ T-shirts during the warm-up — a reference both to Mason’s age and shirt number — and fans have been encouraged to join in with a round of applause in the 25th minute.
The Tigers have bolstered their ranks with a loan move for Serb winger Lazar Markovic, who had been on loan at Portuguese side Sporting Lisbon from Liverpool.
Markovic joined Liverpool from Benfica for $25 million in 2014 when Brendan Rodgers was at the Anfield helm. And having failed to make an impression with the Reds, the 22-year-old is eager to prove his worth.
“I hope that my actions will speak louder than words and I can prove myself to the club and to everyone in English football,” Markovic told Hull’s website.
“I joined Liverpool when I was very young and have not yet had a long run in the side to show what I am capable of.
“I hope to use this loan spell with Hull City to prove myself in the best league in the world, because I feel there is lots more to come from me.”
Meanwhile, United captain Wayne Rooney goes into the match with a spring in his step after scoring a record-breaking250thgoalintheclub’scolors with a stoppage-time freekick to equalize at Stoke.
Mourinho could recall centerback Marcos Rojo after the Argentine missed the Stoke trip through illness, meaning Eric Bailly, who is at the Africa Cup of Nations with Cote d’Ivoire, is the only expected absentee.