Jose Mourinho
Mourinho has plenty to consider as he looks to protect a 10-match unbeaten run in the EFL Cup. Getty Images

KEY POINTS

  • Paul Pogba and Marouane Fellaini are both suspended after picking up fifth bookings.
  • United drew 1-1 with West Ham in the Premier League on Sunday [26 November].
  • Bastian Schweinsteiger could make first appearance under Mourinho this season.

Jose Mourinho will look to continue his fruitful relationship with English football's second-tier cup competition when his Manchester United team take on West Ham United for the second time in the space of four days in the EFL Cup quarter-finals at Old Trafford. Zlatan Ibrahimovic cancelled out Diafra Sakho's opener as the points were shared in that match, but the game was overshadowed by Mourinho's antics on the touchline, landing him in hot water with the FA.

As Mourinho considers whether to challenge a charge of improper conduct he will look to breathe new life into his tenure at United in a competition he won three times across two spells at Chelsea. The newly branded EFL Cup represented the Portuguese coach's first major trophy at Stamford Bridge in 2005.

But the 53-year-old faces a series of selection dilemmas ahead of the visit of West Ham, a precursor to their December schedule when they play seven times in the space of 27 days. Paul Pogba and Marouane Fellaini are both suspended after picking up their fifth yellow cards of the season. Mourinho's frustration was clear to see on the touchline upon Pogba being cautioned for diving, as he kicked a water bottle down the touchline leading to being sent to the stands by referee Jon Moss.

Ahead of trips to Everton and then Zorya in the Europa League, Mourinho could make a host of changes from the league clash with the Hammers. David de Gea, Antonio Valencia, Juan Mata and Ibrahimovic are all expected to be rested having been near ever-presents under Mourinho this season.

Possible Manchester United team to face West Ham:

Sergio Romero, Timothy Fosu-Mensah, Phil Jones, Daley Blind, Luke Shaw, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Michael Carrick, Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Jesse Lingard, Anthony Martial, Wayne Rooney.

The likely replacements come in the form of goalkeeper Sergio Romero and defender Timothy Fosu-Mensah (both of whom played in the third round win at Northampton Town), Armenian Henrikh Mkhiataryan (after he made his first appearance for two months against Feyenoord) and Anthony Martial, who has not been involved since the draw with Arsenal.

Luke Shaw is also likely to return having not featured since October's draw with Burnley, while Daley Blind should earn a recall despite Eric Bailly returning to training, according to the Manchester Evening News. Captain Wayne Rooney will lead the attack having again been deployed as a substitute against West Ham.

The most surprising selection however could surround Bastian Schweinsteiger, who is in line for his first appearance of the season. The German World Cup-winner was named in the United squad for the first time under Mourinho at the weekend and could complete a dramatic comeback from the wilderness. Defender Phil Jones and winger Jesse Lingard could be the only players retained from the first meeting with Slaven Bilic's side, while Michael Carrick may return against his former club.