Ole rules pair out of Everton cup encounter

The Reds are bidding to reach the last-four of the competition, as we did in 2019/20, by overcoming an in-form Toffees side that will be backed by 2,000 of their supporters at Goodison Park.

However, the boss is unable to count on the services of Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Scott McTominay, who were injured in Sunday's 6-2 show at Old Trafford.

Wan-Bissaka was hurt when making a challenge during the Leeds match while McTominay scored twice but was forced off in injury time, leaving the Reds down to 10 men, after feeling discomfort in his groin.

"Those two will miss the game against Everton definitely," Ole told our reporter Mark Sullivan at the Aon Training Complex. "Hopefully, it won’t be too long. They’ll be out but, apart from that, I think everyone is, more or less, okay."

When asked if this competition could continue to provide opportunities for those who helped United reach this round, including the likes of Eric Bailly, Jesse Lingard, Juan Mata and Odion Ighalo, the boss was keeping his cards close to his chest.

"I’m not going to give you the team!" he laughed. "But we will make a few changes. There have been a few players playing in the Carabao Cup earlier in the season and some will need a rest after the Leeds game. So it will be a fresh team."

The Reds overcame Luton Town and Brighton & Hove Albion away from home in the previous rounds and are on the road again to meet Carlo Ancelotti's Blues.

Ole has already confirmed Lingard will be in the squad for the trip to Merseyside and it will be interesting to see if Dean Henderson replaces David De Gea in goal, as he has on both previous occasions in the competition.

United have a key Premier League fixture at Leicester City on Saturday, as second takes on third in the opening game on Boxing Day.