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.

However, United have stumbled to back-to-back Premier League draws of late, including Saturday’s 1-1 stalemate at Stoke City, leaving Mourinho’s men 14 points adrift of league leaders Chelsea.

So, ahead of Thursday’s semi-final second leg clash away at Hull, Shoot! picks out three players the ‘Special One’ should drop from the XI that started against the Potters at the weekend to ensure his side reach the League Cup final…

Chris Smalling

Photo: Marc Atkins / Offside.

The 27-year-old was arguably United’s most disappointing performer at the Bet365 Stadium, being partially responsible for the Potters’ opening goal after being out-jumped by forward Peter Crouch.

The centre-half has regressed under Mourinho so far this term, starting just seven league games for the boss this season, meaning the ‘Special One’ could replace the England international with Marcos Rojo.

The Argentine has returned to training after missing the trip to Stoke with flu.

Juan Mata

Photo: Simon Stacpoole / Offside.

Yes, the Spaniard played a major role in providing United with a 2-0 first leg advantage ahead of tomorrow’s clash, but the midfielder’s display at Stoke on Saturday was woeful.

The Red Devils missed a hatful of chances to snatch all three points at the Bet365 Stadium at the weekend, but the 28-year-old unarguably spurned the best one, missing an open goal in the first-half.

He seemed completely distracted by his shocking miss for the remainder of the match, despite Mourinho never substituting the ex-Chelsea man.

Mata will be very lucky if he starts Thursday’s semi-final second leg at Hull, especially after Wayne Rooney came on to become the club’s all-time leading goalscorer with a fabulous free-kick.

The skipper should come in for the Spaniard.

Ander Herrera

And lastly, another Spaniard who failed to make his presence felt at Stoke on Saturday, providing no attacking threat, despite endlessly working hard to no avail.

The 27-year-old is in fact the only player to play every minute of EFL Cup action for United this season, including scoring against League One Northampton Town in the third round.

But, after Herrera’s ‘no-show’ against the Potters at the weekend, Mourinho will surely be tempted to bring in the experienced Michael Carrick instead to ensure The Red Devils at least hang onto their two-goal advantage, or go more offensive by handing Jesse Lingard a start at Hull.