Manchester United and Ipswich Town will meet for the first time in 13 years tomorrow evening when they face off in the third round of the League Cup.
For the hosting Red Devils, they are going in search of their fifth triumph in this competition, while visiting Ipswich are yet to lift the trophy, having never previously gone beyond the semi-finals.
Man United
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Louis van Gaal has taken charge of one League Cup tie since his arrival at Old Trafford in 2014, but it is an encounter that the Dutchman has probably tried hard to forget.
He took his United side to the MK Dons - then of League One - for what on paper appeared to be a routine outing. Yet, Van Gaal's difficult start to life in England continued as the Football League outfit stunned the footballing world by running out 4-0 winners.
Of course, United have come a long way since that evening in Buckinghamshire, although they are still searching for some consistency in all competitions. In fact, they go into this contest having not won back to back games since the opening two Premier League games of the new season.
When United started the campaign, the League Cup would have probably been fourth on Van Gaal's list of priorities behind the Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup. But, with the Dutchman having not won a trophy yet and United without a pot since Sir Alex Ferguson's last hurrah in 2013, lifting the League Cup would be viewed as a welcome success.
Following a 44-pass goal in the 3-2 win over Southampton at the weekend, Van Gaal was certainly in positive mood: "With that amount of passes you control the game but we are not playing a possession game only to control the match. I have said to the players that gaps in the opponents organisation exist.
"We did it [against Southampton] and it is confirmation of our philosophy. So as a coach I am happy and the members of my staff are happy and at the end so are the players."
Of their last 18 home League Cup fixtures, United have been beaten just twice. While that is a positive record, it is worth pointing out for Ipswich that both of those victors (Coventry City and Crystal Palace) were Championship clubs at the time.
Recent form: WWWLWL
Recent form (all competitions): DWLWLW
Ipswich
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Mick McCarthy has struggled for positive results against Man United during his managerial career. Indeed, of his eight meetings with the 20-time champions of England, McCarthy has tasted victory just once and lost the other seven.
However, he does famously know what it takes to get the better of Van Gaal. McCarthy was in charge of the Republic of Ireland when they beat Van Gaal's Netherlands 1-0 in a World Cup qualifier at Lansdowne Road in 2001. McCarthy's men also claimed a credible 2-2 draw from their trip to Holland earlier in the campaign.
Yet, by McCarthy's own admission, the upcoming trip to United could be a daunting one for his players, particularly when you consider that the club has not played at Old Trafford in 14 years.
"I am looking forward to Old Trafford. I haven't had too many results there, probably none, and it is still a special place. It is one of the best clubs in the world with an amazing stadium to play at. Of course, it is almost impossible to try to blank that out," he told reporters.
"We will get taken on the coach right into the ground, you can see the size of it all, the players know the history of the club and all of their players, then when they go out onto the warm-up our lads will see the surroundings. It either frightens you or inspires you I guess, so let's hope it inspires our guys."
In terms of current form, the Tractor Boys had been on a run that saw them concede eight goals in two Championship outings, but ahead of the trip to United, they have somewhat arrested that form with a win and a draw against Leeds United and Birmingham City respectively.
However, their recent away form in the League Cup has not been overly positive, with their 4-1 victory over Doncaster Rovers in the previous round their first since 2010.
Recent form: WLLLWW
Recent form (all competitions): WWLLWD
Team News
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With United fighting on numerous fronts, Van Gaal is expected to ring the changes.
Sergio Romero could replace David de Gea in goal, while the likes of Marouane Fellaini, Ashley Young and Paddy McNair are all in line for inclusion.
Youngsters Andreas Pereira, Jesse Lingard and James Wilson may also feature, although the latter two did play for the Under-21 side on Monday evening.
As for Ipswich, goalkeeper Dean Gerken is expected to shake off a knock, while Ryan Fraser and Kevin Bru could both return to the midfield following stints out with injury.
Man United possible starting lineup:
Romero; Valencia, McNair, Blind, Rojo; Carrick, Herrera, Young, Lingard, Pereira; Fellaini
Ipswich possible starting lineup:
Gerken; Chambers, Smith, Berra, Knudsen; Skuse, Bru, Fraser, Maitland-Niles; Pitman, Sears
Head To Head
Once a regular fixture throughout the 1970s and much of the 1980s, United lead their Suffolk counterparts 28-19 overall, with nine draws thrown into the bargain.
By chance, Ipswich's last victory over United came in a League Cup tie at Portman Road in 1997, thanks to goals from Alex Mathie and Mauricio Taricco.
The other meeting in this competition took place in 1971, with United coming out on top on that occasion courtesy of a brace from George Best and another goal from Willie Morgan.
We say: Man United 1-0 Ipswich
The Southampton and Liverpool wins aside, United have found goals tough to come by this season, while Ipswich are usually a tight unit defensively. With that in mind, it's unlikely to be a classic encounter, but United should just have enough to edge through.
Liam Apicella
