Manchester United: Wayne Rooney, Michael Carrick and Ander Herrera all fit to return for Everton clash

Wayne Rooney and Michael Carrick are both fit for Manchester United's trip to Everton. The duo missed England's recent European Championship qualifiers with Lithuania and Estonia but manager Louis van Gaal insists both are fit for Saturday's (17 October) Premier League clash.

Ander Herrera is also in line to make his return after missing matches against Wolfsburg and Arsenal with a muscular problem, while defender Marcos Rojo is also closing on full-fitness and is likely to make the bench at Goodison Park.

However, van Gaal revealed in Friday's press conference, relayed through United's official website, that winger Ashley Young will be unavailable after suffering a knock in training.

In addition to Rooney and Carrick, there were a number of minor injury concerns for van Gaal and his United staff during the international break. Bastian Schweinsteiger was a late withdrawal from the Germany side that lost to Republic of Ireland in their European Championship qualifier on 9 October, missing the 1-1 draw with Georgia three days later. Van Gaal did not mention the World Cup-winning captain while reeling off his list of injury concerns, however, suggesting he will be fit for the meeting with Roberto Martinez's side.

Defender Paddy McNair is unavailable after spending three nights in hospital in Helsinki following Northern Ireland's 1-1 draw with Finland. McNair, 20, went down with an abdominal problem in the 13^th minute but remained on the pitch for the rest of the half, before being substituted in the 51^stminute.

Despite initial concerns the youngster had ruptured his liver, Sky Sports reports he left hospital on 14 October, returning to Manchester to recover from bruising around the organs near his ribs.

Player Ratings: How did Man United’s mega-money stars get on in cup disaster

MANCHESTER UNITED endured a cup nightmare last night as Middlesbrough shocked them at Old Trafford.

After a goalless, and pretty lifeless, 120 minutes of Capital One Cup action, England trio Wayne Rooney, Michael Carrick and Ashley Young missed from the penalty spot as Boro booked their place in the last eight.

United carved out very few chances on the night and were lucky that Daley Blind’s comical own-goal was harshly ruled out for offside.

Here, we take a look at how the players got on.

Manchester United

Sergio Romero: 8

Marcos Rojo: 6

Chris Smalling: 6

Michael Carrick: 6

Daley Blind: 5

Memphis: 6

James Wilson: 5

Marouane Fellaini: 7

Jesse Lingard: 8

Matteo Darmian: 6

Andreas Pereira: 7

Substitutes

Wayne Rooney: 5

Ashley Young: 5

Anthony Martial: 7

Middlesbrough

Tomas Mejias: 9

George Friend: 8

Daniel Ayala: 6

Ben Gibson: 8

Grant Leadbitter: 8

Kike: 7

Carlos de Pena: 6

Jack Stephens: 6

Stewart Downing: 8

Emilo Nsue: 7

Tomas Kalas: 6

Substitutes

Bruno Zuculini: 6

David Nugent: 5

Adam Clayton: 6

STAR MAN

In a game of so many chances, anyone with the winning goal in normal time would have made the cut here. However, it was Middlesbrough goalkeeper Tomas Mejias who saved twice during the penalty shootout, first from Wayne Rooney and then from Ashley Young, which sealed victory for Boro.

His presence in the match had already been enough to deter the many crossing attempts from United, which meant the visitors battled their way into the shootout.

MOMENT OF THE MATCH

One for the funniest home videos section perhaps, but Daley Blind ended up scoring a bizarre own goal with a tight-angle 'finish' Wayne Rooney would have been proud of.

Boro's Kike struck the bar with a low, curling effort and Blind somehow managed to side foot the rebound past Sergio Romero. It was then ruled out for offside.

VIEW FROM THE BENCH

In some ways, Aitor Karanka and Louis van Gaal are very much alike. Both have the ability to remain in pretty much one stance throughout the match - that of quiet consideration. In the first half, Karanka, stood calmly near the touchline, had plenty of reason to be confident as his side kept United at bay and threatened to take the lead.

Van Gaal in his usual seated position, would have taken heart from the second half. Van Gaal had already made all his substitutions even before Boro made their first. United were certainly boosted by their fresh arrivals, though Karanka's faith in Boro's stamina was eventually rewarded. His final sub came in minute 114 and Boro slogged their way into the fifth round.

MOAN OF THE MATCH

The game was set up for Memphis Depay to re-announce himself at Old Trafford. The Dutchman had seemingly fallen down the pecking order prior to the game - not least with the rise of Jesse Lingard - and had been reduced to substitute performances in recent weeks.

On Wednesday night, Memphis was reduced to chasing the ball often and his passes were largely erroneous. Even when he did get half-chances they were squandered.

A sign perhaps of the weight the number seven shirt is putting on him at Manchester United, who were left almost carrying him until he was replaced on 71 minutes by Anthony Martial.

Martial for Rooney, Mata back in & five things Van Gaal must change for the Manchester derby

The Dutchman has been given plenty to think about after United's contrasting halves in Moscow, and Sunday's crunch clash will require a different approach

Manchester United escaped from Russia with a 1-1 draw on Wednesday night after their second-half performance against CSKA Moscow helped to make up for a lethargic and inspiration-free opening period.

But they may not be so lucky on Sunday if they start in a similarly sluggish fashion when they host neighbours Manchester City in the first derby of the Premier League season. And there are lessons Louis van Gaal could learn from their bittersweet Champions League experience at the Arena Khimki.

Here are five changes the United manager should seriously consider making before his team takes to the field in Sunday's big one at Old Trafford.

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RETURN MARTIAL TO THE NO.9 SPOT IN PLACE OF ROONEY

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There was a short period during the second half in Moscow which told you everything you needed to know about Anthony Martial and Wayne Rooney's differing trajectories right now.

When Rooney managed to shrug off his marker and meet Ander Herrera's inviting right-wing cross at the near post, his flick-headed attempt landed tamely into the arms of Igor Akinfeev. Moments later a more difficult chance landed on the head of Martial from Antonio Valencia's centre from the bye-line, and the Frenchman steered expertly off the inside of the far post and beyond the prone goalkeeper.

Martial is United's most clinical finisher, and given that this side is not creating an abundance of chances right now they need to have their striker getting into the box as often as possible. Rooney's goal at Everton came from one of three clear one-on-one chances, and you can't help but feel that Martial would have at least doubled that output had he been put in the same situation.

What Van Gaal does with Rooney should he return Martial to the focal point is open to suggestion. The England skipper has been employed in the No.10 role for a fair chunk of this season so far, while the manager has also used him in central midfield in the past. But the bottom line is that he is not the best centre-forward at the club, and United need a more prolific outlet leading their line.

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RECALL JUAN  MATA

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It is understandable that a manager would want to rest his star players every now and again, but that is what the Capital One Cup is usually used for. When Van Gaal decided to sit Juan Mata for the first time this season, he did so in a key Champions League fixture.

To this point, Mata has arguably been United's Player of the Season. His ability to change the pace of the game and find new angles of attack at times when the Red Devils look one-dimensional has been a key factor in a number of matches.

He was the man who turned the trip to Southampton on its head after a poor start. It was the Spaniard who also dragged United up by the boot straps against Wolfsburg in the Champions League, and has regularly been at the hub of United's most creative moments.

Van Gaal's reasoning for his removal against Everton last week was convincing enough, explaining that Jesse Lingard's more direct style was used to keep the Toffees on the back foot. But against City they are going to need Mata's experience and his guile in tight spaces. He's had his rest, now United need their best player back for their biggest game yet.

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REPLACE MARCOS ROJO WITH DALEY BLIND

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Marcos Rojo made the most of his return to the first-team spotlight on Saturday by attacking with great energy and delivering a wonderful cross for Ander Herrera to double United's lead on the way to a 3-0 win. Just four days later, though, CSKA Moscow were busy exploiting his weaker defensive abilities.

Having frequently looked exposed as a left-back during his short spell at Spartak Moscow earlier in the decade, it was no surprise that neighbours CSKA saw Rojo as a potential shortfall in the United side. And when they attacked down his flank they generally made hay, with the Argentine struggling to stay afloat before eventually being replaced by Daley Blind. He might even have given away a penalty on another night after a clumsy handball offence.

Against City, United will need a solid left side more than they will treasure a barnstorming attacking full-back. Manuel Pellegrini's side thrive on their pacy counter-attacks, as exemplified by Kevin de Bruyne's late winner against Sevilla, and to that end Blind would be a far more sensible pick than Rojo.

Luke Shaw's broken leg has made for a huge gap in the United defensive line, and there must be plenty of mixing and matching for the remainder of the season as Van Gaal assesses the needs of his team on a match-by-match basis. And on Sunday, Rojo is simply not worth the risk when Blind can provide a far more sturdy prospect in United's own half.

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EMPLOY A HIGHER-PACED APPROACH

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Something changed on Wednesday night. While United were just as laboured and short on urgency as they have often been at the start of games this season, Louis van Gaal finally acknowledged a lack of speed in his side's play.

On many an occasion this term, the Dutchman has interpreted a first-half pass-athon as "dominance" regardless of how many chances have been created as a result. But in Moscow he was the first to concede that there had been a lifelessness about his team's approach before the break.

"I was disappointed at half-time because we were playing too slow," he told BT Sport after the game. "We had a lot of ball possession but you have to create something with that ball possession, and we didn’t create so much."

This weekend they cannot afford to approach the game in the same way. Just as a slow build-up simply played into Arsenal's hands when United went to north London earlier this month, they could also find themselves gifting City with three points if they don't push the neighbours onto the back foot with a high-paced, more probing style of football than they have often displayed this term.

The inclusion of Ander Herrera has generally helped United to play with greater energy this term, but it is in Van Gaal's structure that their lack of pace emanates and as such the Dutchman must work with his players on taking the game to City in a less pragmatic fashion than has been their way so often this season.

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BRING IN CARRICK FOR SCHWEINSTEIGER

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Michael Carrick's reputation over the years has arguably been inflated by the dearth of ball-playing midfielders produced by English clubs. When you are the only one able to perform a particular duty, your value inevitably increases.

But the former West Ham and Tottenham star remains a key squad member at Old Trafford despite turning 34 shortly before the season's start. While the signings of Bastian Schweinsteiger and Morgan Schneiderlin have edged him to the periphery of the first XI, Carrick retains that ability to do something different in the centre of the park.

His lack of mobility makes him a poor match with Schweinsteiger, particularly against more athletic outfits such as City, with the Arsenal hammering a prime example as to what can happen without a more agile defensive shield in the centre of the park. But if United can offer the greater movement in the final third than was evident during the second half in Moscow then Carrick is the perfect type of player to find the runs with accurate passing.

While he might not be the kind of midfielder who will drive teams forward and make things happen off his own back, he most certainly can supplement mobile attacking team-mates with delicate delivery. If United are going to look to knock City out of their stride at the back, Carrick's inclusion can only help their cause.

Forrester likened to Carrick after fine Posh start

Irish midfielder Chris Forrester has been likened to Manchester United star Michael Carrick by manager Graham Westley after a fine start to life with Peterborough United.

Forrester joined Posh from St Patrick’s Athletic in August and has scored twice in the process of being a regular in their side.

"There's so much Michael Carrick in him it's scary," Westley told the BBC.

"You look at the likes of Carrick, an intelligent player, reads the game brilliantly well, owns, keeps and passes the ball in the right way - he's got so many of the characteristics.

"Could you see him being even better? He probably gets more goals than Carrick - he's a great player in the making."

Westley expects more to come from Forrester, who lit up the SSE Airtricity Premier Division throughout his time with the Saints.

"You look at the stats from last weekend's game (against Doncaster), he was up near the 70-pass mark," said Westley.

"I think he's got a lot more in him as he learns the diamond shape and improves his physical condition he'll get on the ball even more.

"We've seen what he can do in terms of arriving in the box and scoring goals, we've seen his passing, he's such a composed individual, he's a cracking player."

Is Chris Forrester the next Michael Carrick? His manager thinks so

Former St Patrick's Athletic midfielder Chris Forrester has been impressive for his new club Peterborough since joining the club in the summer.

Forrester joined the League One club weeks before manager Dave Robertson left the club. Since his replacement Graham Westley has taken charge, Forrester has featured in every game.

Speaking to BBC Radio Cambridgeshire, Westley compared the 22 year old to a Manchester United midfielder. "There's so much Michael Carrick in him it's scary. You look at the likes of Carrick, an intelligent player, reads the game brilliantly well, owns, keeps and passes the ball in the right way - he's got so many of the characteristics."

The Dubliner has scored twice for The Posh since his arrival in August and Westley is hopeful he can continue his good form. "We've seen what he can do in terms of arriving in the box and scoring goals, we've seen his passing, he's such a composed individual, he's a cracking player."