Manchester United vs Hull live: Juan Mata and Marouane Fellaini ensure win but no record for Wayne Rooney

Minute-by-minute action from the EFL Cup semi-final first leg

Juan Mata scored from close range to give United the lead (Getty)

A cup final place beckons for Jose Mourinho’s men as Manchester United face Hull City, two teams on different ends of the form spectrum, as United have won their last six games whereas Hull have won just twice in 12 matches.

It’s a big game for...

Wayne Rooney: Is there a chance that we see history made on Tuesday night? The Englishman equalled Sir Bobby Charlton’s club goalscoring record of 249 goals against Reading in the FA Cup on Saturday afternoon. The footballing world now waits with bated breath to see when he breaks the record.

Best stat...

In their last four games, Manchester United have scored at least three goals against Hull City, and the Tigers’ defensive injuries look set to be exploited by a potent attacking force that has scored 23 goals in the last 10 games.

Remember when...

Marcus Rashford already established himself as a future star by this point, but this goal eased pressure on the team and Jose Mourinho, as well as cementing his status as a teenage prodigy with this poaching finish in the 91st minute.

Player to watch...

Robert Snodgrass: A bright spark in an otherwise drab Hull season, the Scotsman has surprisingly been one of the league’s best players and is responsible for half of Hull City’s goals, scoring nine and assisting three.

Past three-meetings...

Hull 0 Manchester United 1 (Rashford) Premier League, August 2016

Hull 0 Manchester United 0, Premier League, May 2016

Manchester United 3 Hull City 0 (Smalling, Rooney, Van Persie) Premier League, November 2014

Form guide...

Manchester United: WWWWWW

Hull City: LLLDLW

Vital information...

Kick-off time: 20:00

TV: Sky Sports 1

Odds...

Manchester United to win: 2/11

Hull City to win: 16/1

Draw: 13/2

(Odds provided by 888Sport)

[10 January 2017 18:10 · Jack Austin]

Hello and welcome to The Independent’s live blog for the first of this week’s two EFL Cup semi-finals, as Manchester United take on Hull City at Old Trafford.

Both sides come into the game on the back of strong FA Cup performances where

United beat Championship side Reading 4-0 and Hull saw off fellow Premier League strugglers Swansea 2-0.

Jose Mourinho has promised to name a strong lineup after leaving a number of big names out of Saturday’s game, with the likes of Paul Pogba and Zlatan Ibrahimovic set to return.

It also allows Mourinho to come head-to-head with Marco Silva, who has often be likened to him.

The first leg kicks off at 8pm and we will have all the action here, live.

[10 January 2017 18:32 · Jack Austin]

Jose Mourinho makes statement of intent as he confirms leading players will feature in EFL Cup

[10 January 2017 18:45 · Jack Austin]

Jose Mourinho insists Hull clash is bigger for Manchester United than Liverpool tie

[10 January 2017 18:48 · Jack Austin]

The Manchester United team news is in and Rooney starts! Could he break the record tonight? No Ibrahimovic in the squad though... 

[10 January 2017 19:00 · Jack Austin]

Jose Mourinho says Marco Silva comparisons are 'unfair' on the Hull manager

[10 January 2017 19:01 · Jack Austin]

And the Hull side... 

Jakupovic, Robertson, Maguire, Meyler, Huddlestone, Snodgrass, Clucas, Diomande, Henriksen, Mason, Tymon.

[10 January 2017 19:08 · Jack Austin]

The news is that Ibrahimovic misses out through illness. He was not among the United players who arrived at the Lowry Hotel prior to the game today.

[10 January 2017 19:15 · Jack Austin]

For all his hubris and controversy, Jose Mourinho remains a romantic at heart

[10 January 2017 19:29 · Jack Austin]

Rashford vs Huddlestone in a foot race tonight could be an interesting one... Probably won't be taking bets on that.

[10 January 2017 19:37 · Jack Austin]

Pogba looks like he will be playing in his less-favoured deeper role and have a greater defensive responsibility tonight, with Carrick having a well-earned rest on the bench ahead of the game with Liverpool on Sunday.