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Ruben Amorim has a key call to make over Manchester United forgotten man at Tottenham

Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho
-Credit:Reach Publishing Services Limited


Manchester United are bidding to reach the Carabao Cup semi-finals tonight when they travel to the capital to face Tottenham in the last-eight stage.

Ruben Amorim is two wins away from a first Wembley date as United's head coach, and success tonight would be a third away win in a row after those victories against Viktoria Plzen and Manchester City.

Sunday's dramatic derby day success means United will travel south full of confidence. Late goals from Bruno Fernandes and Amad secured a famous victory at the Etihad.

Amorim has some key decisions to make however, as he again plans to rotate his squad. Alejandro Garnacho and Marcus Rashford were both axed from the squad entirely at the weekend and there will be intrigue as to whether they are recalled.

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The forgotten man

For all the talk around Rashford in the last few days, it's easy to forget that Garnacho is in the same boat. He was also axed from the derby squad and made to train at Carrington on Sunday morning.

If there was an argument that Rashford's form wasn't worthy of a place in the squad, Garnacho has been playing pretty well this season, and a return of eight goals and four assists has him on for his best return to date.

It's going to be fascinating how Amorim approaches reintegrating the two into the squad after his statement decision at the weekend. Circumstances have changed around Rashford since the weekend following his comments that he is ready for a new challenge.

That might alter Amorim's thinking, but Garnacho will still have a long-term future at the club as he fights to show the head coach he can fit into his plans, on and off the pitch. Does Amorim bring both back on the bench, or does either player (more likely Garnacho), come straight back into the starting XI?

Amad undroppable?

That is one of several selection conundrums for Amorim, but whatever he opts to do, he must surely find a place for Amad in his starting XI, whether that is as one of his No. 10s or at right wing-back. On recent evidence, the 22-year-old is a threat in both positions.

Amad has been the outstanding player of the Amorim era so far. He has played a key role in two away-day comebacks over the past week, and he feels essential to this team.

He has played well as a No. 10 against Plzen and City, but if Amorin wants to give his wing-backs a break, then Amad is clearly good enough to fill in on the right. He just has to play.

Momentum on offer

It's less than two weeks since United suffered back-to-back defeats under Amorim, and the 3-2 reverse to Nottingham Forest at Old Trafford felt particularly damaging.

But momentum has been restored with those 2-1 wins against Plzen and City, both achieved after conceding the first goal. There is now a real chance to build momentum here, and a third away win in a row, ahead of Sunday's Old Trafford return against Bournemouth, would do just that.

Spurs rematch

It's under three months since Tottenham won 3-0 at Old Trafford, but a lot has happened since then. Erik ten Hag only lasted another month in charge of United, and despite a 3-0 win at Manchester United and a 4-0 win at Manchester City, Ange Postecoglou has found himself under pressure.

Tottenham come into this match on the back of a much-needed 5-0 win at Southampton, but their Aussie manager is feeling the heat. Despite the season United are having, Spurs are only one point better off in the Premier League.

This is a chance for Amorim to show that United aren't as open and as vulnerable now as they were under Ten Hag. If he achieves that the questions will once again come for Postecoglou.

Trophy target

This is United's third fixture in this competition so far this season, and it will be the third different manager/head coach to take the team for it. Erik ten Hag oversaw a 7-0 win against Barnsley and Ruud van Nistelrooy a 5-2 success against Leicester City.

This tie is a lot trickier than those home games, but it does offer Amorim the chance to reach a semi-final early in his tenure. There is every chance he could claim a trophy as well, which would really give the players belief in his methods.

We know now that winning two trophies in two seasons for Ten Hag wasn't enough, but it certainly helps, and as Amorim aims to win over any sceptics in the dressing room, the Carabao Cup could be a route to unifying the players.