Manchester United are firm favourites to reach the 2017 EFL Cup final next month when they visit Hull City in their semi-final second leg on Thursday night (19:45).

The Red Devils, who have defeated League One outfit Northampton Town, rivals Manchester City and West Ham United to reach the last-four, hold a two-goal first leg advantage when they arrive at the KCOM Stadium tomorrow night after beating The Tigers 2-0 at Old Trafford earlier this month.

Goals from midfielders Juan Mata and Marouane Fellaini have put Jose Mourinho’s men in pole position to face either Liverpool or Southampton at Wembley Stadium in the final on February 26 – in what would be The Red Devils’ first League Cup final since 2010, when they defeated Aston Villa 2-1 at the national stadium.

So, ahead of Thursday’s semi-final second leg clash away at Hull, Shoot! picks out three reasons why Manchester United will advance to the EFL Cup final…

Mourinho’s men’s march

Manchester United are in terrific form, despite having to settle for back-to-back draws in their last two Premier League outings.

Mourinho’s men are currently on a 17-match unbeaten run, harking back to November 3, 2016, when The Red Devils lost 2-1 at Fenerbahce in the Europa League.

Although United sit sixth in the top-flight standings, the ‘Special One’ has clearly made his side hard to beat and will be strong favourites to reach the EFL Cup final next month.

With a two-goal first leg advantage in the bag, a draw in Hull on Thursday night will be enough to seal their spot at Wembley.

Then again, even a one-goal margin defeat will also be enough to send United through, although I’m sure boss Mourinho won’t want to throw away his team’s unbeaten streak as he is expected to field a strong starting XI at the KCOM Stadium.

First leg advantage

Mata and Fellaini (Above) have guided United into pole position to reach their first League Cup final for seven years.

Thursday night’s visitors won the first leg 2-0 at Old Trafford thanks to second-half strikes from the midfield duo, edging manager Mourinho towards his first major trophy in charge of The Red Devils.

Hull must win tomorrow night’s encounter by three or more goals to win the semi-final clash outright on aggregate – a two-goal margin victory will see both teams endure extra-time.

The Tigers haven’t won by three or more goals in any game since defeating Derby County 3-0 away from home during last season’s Championship play-off semi-final first leg at Pride Park.

Tough ask for Hull manager Marco Silva tomorrow night!

Serious chance of silverware

Despite seeing off defending Premier League champions Leicester City 2-1 at Wembley Stadium back in August to win the FA Community Shield (Pictured), this is Mourinho’s golden opportunity to lift his first piece of major silverware with United.

With The Red Devils already 14 points adrift of Antonio Conte’s Chelsea in the Premier League table, following their 1-1 draw at Stoke City on Saturday, it is fair to say the prospect of a debut title-winning campaign for the ‘Special One’ at Old Trafford is more or less over.

However, with Mourinho still settling in at The Theatre of Dreams and continually constructing his ideal squad going forward, the chance of lifting the 2017 EFL Cup could prove a perfect stepping stone for the ‘Special One’ & Co.

Since Sir Alex Ferguson’s legendary reign, United have failed to mount a Premier League title bid, something Mourinho will have already set his sights on for the 2017-18 campaign.

The League Cup could just be the start of some silverware success at Old Trafford.