Manchester United have already won the League Cup this season, seeing off Newcastle in the final last month.
But with the Premier League title gone, Erik ten Hag will no doubt have been keen to continue going strong in this competition to try and add some more silverware to his collection.
Manchester United released their starting XI an hour before kick off and it was a pretty strong side from Erik ten Hag.
Casemiro is suspended and Christian Eriksen remains sidelined, leaving Marcel Sabizter and Scott McTominay to make up a pretty weak midfield. But other than that, it was still a strong team.
There was one noticeable absentee, however, as Raphael Varane was not in the XI or even on the bench, with Harry Maguire partnering Lisandro Martinez at the back.
Now, an explanation for Varane’s absence on Sunday has been provided:
Varane back from minor injury post-international break is the hope
— jamie jackson (@JamieJackson___) March 19, 2023
