Prediction: Manchester United vs Charlton

Verdict: Manchester United win from scratch

Best Rating: 10/11

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Returning their attention to EFL Cup duties on Tuesday night, top-flight Manchester United will host Charlton at Old Trafford.

Manchester United

Starting with the hosts, extending their FA Cup adventure over the weekend as they cruised to a 3-1 win at home to a struggling Everton, the mood in the Manchester United camp should be at the top. While the former Premier League champions might have opened the 2022/23 campaign amidst a wobble, the Red Devils have certainly found their feet under Erik ten Hag. Finding a way back into the top four and with a Champions League return high on their agenda, the former Ajax boss has seen his top-flight side earn plenty of praise. Opening the new year with a 3-0 thrashing of Bournemouth last week, Old Trafford fans have seen their side win each of their five domestic clashes in all formats since returning from the World Cup break. Likewise, having only sent one shot since returning from the festive interval, ten Hag men will feel the opportunity to lay down another marker on Tuesday night.

Team News

While Manchester United could be without Jadon Sancho, Donny van de Beek and Axel Tuanzebe in midweek, ten Hag are set to make a series of changes at Old Trafford.

Harry Maguire, Anthony Elanga and Alejandro Garnacho should make a full return here. However, attacking talisman Marcus Rashford should rest.

Charlton

As far as the visitors are concerned, while Charlton should have suffered a rather public crisis last month, the Addicks seem to have been crying out for a much-needed boost. Appointing former Bristol City boss Dean Holden and simply looking to get away from potential relegation to League One, the Londoners have now lost just one of their last five domestic clashes in all competitions. Extending their EFL Cup adventure on December 21 as they secured a shock penalty win over Premier League side Brighton, the mood around the Valley is expected to be at an all-time high. Impressive over the past week as they picked up back-to-back third-tier wins over Portsmouth and Lincoln, Charlton will know they will just face a free-kick on Tuesday night. However, with just one away win since the start of November, Holden's new side will know they face a monumental challenge come midweek.

Team News

Missed against Brighton last month after serving a suspension, Sean Clare is set to return on Tuesday night.

However, Charlton has confirmed that Diallang Jaiyesimi and Mandela Egbo will be out again at Old Trafford.

Key Factors to Consider When the two teams last met in 2007, Manchester United claimed a 2-0 victory at Old Trafford. The Red Devils have won each of their five domestic clashes in all formats since returning from the World Cup break. Likewise, Tuesday's hosts have conceded just one strike in their five-game winning streak. Charlton have only managed to record one victory away from the Valley since November 8. Manchester United have won each of their last 10 consecutive meetings against the Addicks - a run dating back to May 2002.

Conclusion

While Charlton may have passed a much-needed milestone since Holden's arrival last month, the League One side will know they face a huge challenge on Tuesday night. Watching Manchester United continue to shine either side of the World Cup break, the Premier League giants received plenty of applause for their robust displays at the back. Winning each of their five post-World Cup outings by an aggregate score of 12-1, it's hard to see anything other than a fairly routine home win at Old Trafford. Having won 2-0 in the last meeting with Charlton in Manchester in 2007, a similar result can be found here with interesting odds.

Verdict: Manchester United win from scratch

Best Rating: 10/11

Bookmaker: