Jose Mourinho will hope that his Manchester United side can bounce back from their defensive horror show against Chelsea when they host neighbours Manchester City in the League Cup.

The Red Devils were all over the place at the back in their 4-0 defeat at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, Mourinho’s first visit to West London since losing his job there last December.

The result, a third league defeat of the season, leaves them seventh in the Premier League table, five points adrift of Pep Guardiola’s City, who drew 1-1 with Southampton at the weekend.

City are also in the middle of a tricky spell – they are winless in five – but will go into the match on Wednesday with fond memories of visiting Old Trafford having won there just last month in the league.

Nevertheless, it is likely that both managers will make a few changes to their sides, in a bid to keep the squad sharp and fresh for the remainder of the season.

Here are THREE United players who deserve a chance against their neighbours on Wednesday…

Michael Carrick

With how poor United have been at times this season, it’s truly baffling that Michael Carrick hasn’t got more minutes on the pitch.

The former West Ham and Tottenham midfielder brings a measure of control to the United midfield, and it was noticeable during the Louis van Gaal era how important the 35-year-old was to the balance of the team.

Nevertheless, he has yet to make a Premier League start this season, but United’s hopeless display against Chelsea may persuade Mourinho to change things up in the middle of the park.

Arguably, the Portuguese still does not know his best team, so giving Carrick a chance on Wednesday makes complete sense as he looks to land on that perfect eleven.

Luke Shaw

Daley Blind had a day to forget against Chelsea on Sunday, further raising question marks about his position in the United back four.

That left-back area is clearly an issue for Mourinho, hence the versatile Blind was played there at the weekend, but he should give Shaw a chance to try and nail down that spot.

The England international has shown during his time at United that, when fit, he’s a dependable full-back, both going forward and at the back.

With Eric Bailly looking set for a spell on the sidelines, Blind may be moved back to centre-half, which opens the door for Shaw to reclaim that left-back place.

It’s an opportunity he must take with both hands.

Timothy Fosu-Mensah

Timothy Fosu-Mensah has an extremely bright future in the game.

The 18-year-old is quick and strong, and can play a variety of different positions on the pitch, such as full-back, defensive midfield and centre-back.

However, it is integral that he finds a position in which to develop, as it’s plausible that Phil Jones’ development stunted because he was just someone who filled in, and never really had a place to call his own.

We have seen what can happen when youth is given an opportunity in the first team, with the likes of Marcus Rashford and Jesse Lingard impressing, and it’s this fearlessness which could seriously benefit United as they look to get back to winning ways.

Fosu-Mensah should be given an opportunity against City.