Manchester United will turn to the League Cup to salvage their desperate domestic season when they visit Sunderland tonight for the first leg of their semi-final.

Man United manager David Moyes

Having fallen 11 points off the pace in the Premier League, United saw another potential route towards silverware curtailed on Sunday when they were stunned 1-2 at home by Swansea City in the FA Cup third round.

Although United remain in contention in the Champions League, the League Cup now represents their best hope of rescuing a trophy from a campaign that threatens to turn into an outright disaster.

An extra incentive is the fact that derby rivals Manchester City are their most likely opponents in the final, with Manuel Pellegrini’s side due to host West Ham United in the first leg of the other semi-final tomorrow.

United manager David Moyes reached just one major final in his 11 years at Everton, losing to Chelsea in the FA Cup in 2009, but with Wembley Stadium now within sight again, he has urged his players to roll up their sleeves.