Jose Mourinho aims to get his Manchester United side to Sixfields to face Northampton Town of League One in the Third Round of the EFL Cup.
United, and indeed Mourinho, have suffered troubled times in recent weeks, after three successive defeats. Jose has also been quick to criticise his players after each loss, which can hardly make for a harmonious atmosphere in the dressing room.
The Cobblers of Northampton will be no pushovers either, after an impressive 31-match unbeaten run stretching back to December, which was only ended this past weekend by Chesterfield. They sit in eleventh place in the League One standings, and knocked out Premier League opposition in the shape of West Brom in the previous round.
Cobblers could also be an accurate for United’s recent form, although in recent days, midfielders Juan Mata and Marouane Fellaini have issued rallying cries.
Phil Jones will be absent, out for a month with a knee injury. Anthony Martial is facing a battle to be fit, after being forced off in the first-half at Watford after a heavy challenge. Mourinho may rotate a few players, depending on how this competition fits into his list of priorities.
Northampton are without any major absentees for the game with former West Ham and Burnley midfielder Matt Taylor in line to start. One change is forced upon them though, as Paul Anderson is cup-tied having already featured for Bradford City before moving on Deadline Day.
United last visited Northampton in January 2004, for an FA Cup Fourth Round tie which resulted in a comfortable 3-0 win for the Red Devils. Older United fans will recall George Best scoring six times in an 8-2 success at Northampton in an FA Cup tie in 1970.
By Steve Osborne                 @BlizzardSteve75
