A lineup of the best players from tonight’s Capital One Cup opponents.
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With English football’s greatest rivals set to lock horns tonight in the Capital One Cup, there will, as ever, be some great players on show with plenty at stake for both sides. Although it has become common for the big teams to rotate and field weakened sides with plenty of youngsters in this competition down the years, that will surely not be the case tonight as both managers will be see this cup as an early opportunity to bring home some much-needed silverware. Both sides lost in the Premier League at the weekend, and their hungry young managers will be keen for a response tonight, and here is an idea of what a best XI of these sides would look like.
Defence
David de Gea – Although Simon Mignolet runs the Spaniard pretty close for the no.1 spot here, there’s no doubting that David de Gea is the truly outstanding goalkeeper in the country at the moment, as he finally looks like living up to the great potential seen in him by Sir Alex Ferguson, who signed him for big money as a youngster. Mignolet may be one of the signings of this summer’s transfer window, but it’s still a little early to say whether or not he will definitely be an Anfield hero.
Glen Johnson – Although Rafael Da Silva is a great young player, Glen Johnson’s experience and more consistent end-product gives him the edge for the right-back slot here. One of Liverpool’s best attacking players from the back, the 29-year-old is a crucial part of how the team play, and a joy to watch when he bombs forward.
Rio Ferdinand – A vastly experienced and reliable defender even in his old age, Rio Ferdinand is deserving of a spot in this starting lineup, even if his side were somewhat exposed at the back by City at the weekend. Liverpool have made great signings defensively this summer in Mamadou Sakho, Kolo Toure and Tiago Ilori, but it still somewhat remains to be seen how much of an impact they will all have this season.
Nemanja Vidic – Likewise, Ferdinand’s defensive partner Vidic also deserves his spot in the team, as the pair have been one of the best central defensive partnerships in the Premier League for the last few years – when they’ve both managed to be fit at the same time, that is.
Patrice Evra – Again, a player who didn’t have his best game at the weekend, but a truly outstanding performer for United over the years and still a left-back with plenty to offer both defensively and going forward. Jose Enrique is solid and reliable but not quite in the same league as his United counterpart, while on-loan left-back Aly Cissokho is yet to make an impact since joining the Reds this summer.