Manchester United host Premier League strugglers Hull in the first leg of their League Cup semi-final this evening (8pm kick-off).

Jose Mourinho’s men thumped West Ham 4-1 in the quarter-finals to reach the last four, while they also beat neighbours Manchester City earlier on in the competition.

A third Premier League side stands in their way of a place in a ninth League Cup final, with Marco Silva’s Hull facing the unenviable task of trying to halt United’s sensational recent run.

The Red Devils have won their eight successive matches, the latest of which was a 4-0 thrashing of Reading in the FA Cup last weekend, and they haven’t tasted defeat since their 2-1 loss in Fenerbahce on November 3, and in England since their 4-0 thumping at Chelsea on October 23.

Thus, United will go in as heavy favourites to record a ninth win in a row, although Hull are fresh from a fine 2-0 victory over Swansea on Saturday, and have won all three of their away League Cup matches so far this season.

Nonetheless, Mourinho and his side will hope to take a lead to the KCOM Stadium in a few weeks’ time, and here are THREE reasons why they will do just that…

Excellent form

Photo: Simon Stacpoole / Offside.

United picked up an eighth successive win in all competitions by beating Reading on Saturday, which is their best winning streak since 2009.

It looks like Mourinho is beginning to get the best out of his side after a slow start to the season, with some dominant performances, like against Reading and Zorya, mixed in with some resilient and dogged ones, like against Tottenham and Middlesbrough.

Nonetheless, United are consistently winning games; they are on a roll and will take some stopping, and whether Hull have the tools and personnel to do that on Tuesday remains to be seen.

Big guns well rested

Photo: Simon Stacpoole / Offside.

The likes of Paul Pogba and Zlatan Ibrahimovic were rested against Reading, but both, alongside the likes of Ander Herrera and David De Gea, will almost certainly come back into the fold against Hull.

And that is not great news for the visitors.

35-year-old Ibrahimovic has been in sensational form in recent months, netting 12 goals in his last 12 matches, while Pogba is beginning to show his class in the United midfield after several fine displays.

Herrera has been in excellent form throughout the season and has made the defensive midfield spot his own, while De Gea has once again been reliable in between the sticks.

A full strength United is a test for any side at present, and it’s one that Hull are unlikely to overcome on Tuesday.

Genuine trophy chance

Photo: Marc Atkins / Offside.

Mourinho has lifted the League Cup three times during his time in England, and you wouldn’t bet against him making it four this season.

The Portuguese boss won it twice in his first stint at Chelsea before winning it again in 2015, and it would be the perfect way to kick off his reign as United manager by winning it this time around.

Although things have improved over the last few months, United are still ten points behind Premier League leaders Chelsea, so are unlikely to win the title this season, while they are still in the early stages of both FA Cup and Europa League campaigns.

Thus, the League Cup represents a great trophy chance for United and, given that they have only won the FA Cup since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement, winning the competition could be a sign that the good times are beginning to come back to Old Trafford.