There’s another big chance for Manchester United to try and get their season going this week as they host West Ham in their quarter final of the EFL Cup.

Indeed, our Red Devils fans here in the Transfer Tavern are hoping for a spark to ignite their year, in what has been a largely underwhelming campaign so far.

Their latest result, another home draw against the Hammers in the league at the weekend saw them fall further behind Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City and Arsenal in the title race as they all won and if things do not get sorted quickly, the club could be on course for a dire year.

Jose Mourinho seemingly likes this competition, though, and aims to use it as a breeding ground for success with it being the first available trophy of the year.

Our United fans are hoping that works, then, and our landlord reckons that with this line up they should reach the last four…

GK: Sergio Romero

The Argentine doesn’t get much of a look-in with David De Gea around but he should do for this game. He’s very much the cup goalkeeper so expect him to start against the Hammers this week.

RB: Antonio Valencia

Manchester United look short in all areas across the back four and so it looks as though Valencia will once again have to play. He’s not a bad option to have but he’s certainly racking up the miles in those legs ahead of the festive period.

CB: Phil Jones

Jones is enjoying a return to the side but he needs to do more if he is to remain in it once Chris Smalling and Eric Bailly are back. At the moment he is United’s best, fit, centre back and he needs to start reflecting that with more commanding displays.

CB: Marcos Rojo

Rojo is currently having to fill in in central defence and so it would make sense that he continues to try and forge a partnership with Phil Jones at the back. He’s playing for his future at the club right now, though.

LB: Matteo Darmian

The same can be said of Darmian who, with Luke Shaw out and Daley Blind not actually a left back, should really have nailed down his place. A good performance here may allow him to do so in the run up to Christmas.

CDM: Michael Carrick

Carrick didn’t play against his old side at the weekend so you can expect him to for the cup game. His passing is still unrivalled in United’s squad and that is something they’ll need to address sooner rather than later.

CDM: Marouane Fellaini

Fellaini has fallen out of favour since the start of the season and will now have to use games like this to try and impress. He’ll need to impose himself as usual but it would help if he could find the goal threat that made him a good player for Everton.

RAM: Jesse Lingard

The winger will probably get to play on the right side against the Hammers with Marcus Rashford, for the first time since his debut, looking like he needs a rest. Lingard will be aiming to continue to impress against the Hammers.

CAM: Wayne Rooney

Rooney looks to be a squad player for now and that factor will be utilised here. He’s a good player to have for games like this and he’ll want to try and start forcing himself back into the reckoning for league games.

LAM: Henrikh Mkhitaryan

It’s surely going to happen for the Armenian at some point during his United career, he just needs a proper run. It could be this type of game where he finally gets to show the talent many know that he has.

ST: Zlatan Ibrahimovic

Ibrahimovic returned to goal scoring ways at the weekend against the Hammers so he’ll fancy his chances to do so again this week. The former PSG man will be very eager to win this trophy with the club.

Agree United fans? Let us know below…