Manchester United are not enjoying life right now and after a hefty beating by Chelsea on Sunday afternoon, their fans in the Tavern are becoming worried.

Jose Mourinho was supposed to be the man to waltz in and turn things around at the first attempt but infact, United seem to be fluctuating in form quite badly indeed.

One week it’s fantastic and that next it’s underwhelming and it’s this type of inconsistency Mourinho needs to cut out if he’s to have any success at Old Trafford.

And there is no rest for the Red Devils, who will begin preparing for their crunch tie with Manchester City on Wednesday immediately.

It’s a big old game, not only because of the occasion but because both sides are struggling for form right now.

But we’re backing Mourinho’s men to bounce back from this weekend’s disappointment.

So with that in mind, here’s our Manchester United XI that we think will prevail on Wednesday evening…

GK: Sergio Romero

Sergio Romero started United’s previous cup fixture away at Northampton and we’re expecting him to come back into the side for this one as well.

He’s found first-team opportunities difficult to come by at times but with De Gea at the helm, it’s always going to be difficult.

RB: Timothy Fosu-Mensah

Young starlet Timothy Fosu-Mensah has enjoyed a meteoric rise in recent months and this is a fantastic opportunity to throw him into one of the biggest games in England.

He’s developing fantastically well and this experience really could be the making of him. And with United looking feeble against Chelsea, surely a first-team league start isn’t that far away for the youngster either.

CB: Chris Smalling

Whilst this is a cup competition and the opportunity to give fringe players is there, United do need to come out of the traps and win this one to restore some much-needed pride.

So we’d like to see Chris Smalling play at the back, and really show United fans how good he is. He needs a confidence boost after the demoralising loss against Chelsea.

CB: Daley Blind

Blind gave a poor performance at Stamford Bridge on Sunday and he’ll need to be back to his best if United are to overcome City on Wednesday.

We know how good the Dutchman can be on his day and he’ll be looking to make up for his lacking display with a strong showing in the cup.

LB: Marcos Rojo

Marcos Rojo came on as a substitute against Chelsea and to many people’s surprise, he did okay.

He was definitely the best of a bad bunch anyway.

He hasn’t had much of a look-in at all this season and might want to use a potential opportunity here to remind Jose Mourinho why he is at the club in the first place.

CDM: Michael Carrick

Was left out for the game against Chelsea in a decision Mourinho very much might learn to regret going forward.

Say what you like, the Englishman offers fantastic protection infront of the back-four and whilst he’s not going to grab the headlines, he’ll keep the ball moving with plenty of zip.

CDM: Morgan Schneiderlin

Schneiderlin isn’t breaking into Mourinho’s first-team anytime soon and the cup might be his only chance of first team action moving forward.

He’s a tidy player and whilst he might not fit the Mourinho mantra, he’s could be a decent player to sit infront of the defence with Michael Carrick for this crunch tie.

CM: Marouane Fellaini

If there’s one thing United are missing right now it’s a little bit of ruggedness- something we know Marouane Fellaini has in spades.

The Belgian international could be the perfect man to break up City’s midfield play and get the cogs rolling for his team.

RW: Marcus Rashford

Rashford has gone off the boil a little in recent weeks and many need to remember just how old he is and the responsibility he’s had placed on his shoulders.

A good performance in the game against City could really turn around his fortunes again, if he plays well.

ST: Zlatan Ibrahimovic

Zlatan Ibrahimovic still has a massive point to prove at Old Trafford following his high-profile switch from PSG this summer.

He’s a man that wants to win trophies and a good start would be the EFL Cup. He loves an occasion and starting him in this once could be a very good shout indeed.

LW: Anthony Martial

Has had to play second-fiddle to the likes of Rashford and Lingard in recent weeks, but Martial really does deserve the chance on the big stage, especially seeing as some of his team-mates aren’t stepping up right now.