Manchester United take a two-goal lead to the KCOM Stadium on Thursday (7.45pm kick-off) in their League Cup semi-final against Hull City.

Jose Mourinho’s men won 2-0 at Old Trafford a fortnight ago thanks to goals from Juan Mata and Marouane Fellaini, which means that the Red Devils are in control of the tie ahead of the second leg on Thursday.

However, Hull have been much improved since Marco Silva replaced Mike Phelan as manager at the start of the month, and they actually put up a decent fight against Mourinho’s men in Manchester last time out.

Nonetheless, overturning a two-goal deficit will be tricky for the Tigers on Thursday, especially given that United haven’t lost a domestic game since their 4-0 hammering at Chelsea back on October 23.

Thus, Mourinho’s men will go in as hot favourites to reach a ninth League Cup final, with Mourinho himself looking to add a fourth League Cup title to his name having won it three times with Chelsea in 2005, 2007, and 2013.

In what should be an intriguing clash at the KCOM Stadium, we’ve taken a look at THREE key battles that will likely determine the outcome on Thursday…

Michael Dawson v Zlatan Ibrahimovic

Zlatan Ibrahimovic is once again expected to lead the line for Manchester United on Thursday, and his excellent recent run of form will undoubtedly concern the Hull backline.

The Swedish star has scored 13 goals in his last 14 appearances for United, taking his tally to 19 for the season, 14 of which have come in the Premier League.

Although he didn’t net against Stoke at the weekend, the 35-year-old still caused the backline problems and did a good job for the team in the defensive areas, so even when he’s not necessarily scoring, Ibrahimovic is in some way influencing the game.

And it will be up to Hull’s experienced captain Michael Dawson to thwart that influence on Thursday night.

The former Spurs man looked set to go and become an excellent defender for club and country many years ago, but injury somewhat stunted that progress, yet he has shown signs at Hull in recent times of that defender who played over 300 times for Tottenham.

At 33, Dawson is still playing well, and was part of a Hull defence that was solid for the most part at Chelsea last weekend – Ibrahimovic will be another challenge he relishes on Thursday night.

Tom Huddlestone v Michael Carrick

Two former England internationals will go head-to-head in the centre of midfield at the KCOM Stadium, with Tom Huddlestone hoping to get the better of Michael Carrick.

The former Tottenham midfielder played a key role in helping keep Hull strong and solid against Chelsea last weekend, while he also looked like the one trying to open up the Blues backline and create opportunities.

This control of the midfield is what Carrick will seek to achieve on Thursday, as the United man’s reading of the game and vision is second to none, and has helped Mourinho’s men to win many a match this season.

The 35-year-old should be fresh having not played for ten days, but it will be up to Huddlestone to minimise his influence on proceedings by closing him down, pressurising him, and forcing him to move the ball quickly as opposed to allowing him time on the ball, which is when he’s most deadly.

Winning that midfield battle will be key for both sides at the KCOM Stadium.

Abel Hernandez v Phil Jones

Hull’s Abel Hernandez returned from injury a few weeks ago in the 2-0 win over Swansea in the FA Cup, and marked his return to action with a goal in the win.

Since then, the Uruguayan international has looked sharp and focused on his striking role, and netted a brace in their 3-1 victory over Bournemouth in the Premier League on January 14.

Hernandez put in a man-of-the-match effort against the Cherries that day, and a similar performance full of tenacity, running, and endeavour will cause Phil Jones some problems on Thursday night.

The England international has been dragged in from the cold by Mourinho this season, as the 24-year-old failed to appear in any of their first 17 games of the campaign, but since starting the 3-1 win over Swansea on November 6, he has appeared in all but two of their 14 matches.

It’s been quite the turnaround for Jones, who looked set to leave Old Trafford in the near future, but he’s now a key member of Mourinho’s squad, and will be the one who’ll need to keep Hernandez quiet on Thursday.