League Cup campaign turns into face- saving exercise

Manchester United will turn to the League Cup to salvage their desperate domestic season when they visit Sunderland today for the first leg of their semi- final ( 11.45pm UAE).

Having fallen 11 points off the pace in the Premier League, United saw another potential route towards silverware curtailed on Sunday, when they were stunned 2- 1 at home by Swansea City in the FA Cup third round.

Although United remain in contention in the Champions League, the League Cup now represents their best hope of rescuing a trophy from a campaign that threatens to turn into an outright disaster.

Extra incentive

An extra incentive is the fact that derby rivals Manchester City are their most likely opponents in the final, with Manuel Pellegrini’s side due to host West Ham United in the first leg of the other semi- final tomorrow.

David Moyes reached just one major final in his 11 years at Everton, losing to Chelsea in the FA Cup in 2009. “If you lose games at any club, it’s always difficult. At Manchester United, it’s even bigger,” he said.

Sunderland are at the bottom of the Premier League table but enjoyed victory in the FA Cup on Sunday, winning 3- 1 at home to third- tier Carlisle United. “We are going to become a cup team,” Sunderland manager Gus Poyet joked.