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‘We’ll do our best’ – Matic optimistic ahead of Carabao Cup semi-final derby

Nemanja Matic - Manchester United
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The red side of Manchester was outdone by the blue side in the last four 12 months ago, and a repeat of the fixture now awaits.

Nemanja Matic is feeling ‘very confident’ ahead of the upcoming Manchester derby in the Carabao Cup semi-finals.

The Red Devils clinched a 2-0 victory against Everton at the quarter-final stage on Wednesday.

It appeared that another 30 minutes of action will be seen at Goodison Park with the scores tied at 0-0 after 88 minutes but Edinson Cavani and Anthony Martial’s late strikes ensured the visitors advance to the next stage in normal time.

Man United will have to face Manchester City before heading to the finals in what is a repeat of the 2019-20 semi-final.

A 3-2 aggregate defeat in January 2020 saw Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men sent packing from the competition.

Significant progress has been made since then as they hold a faultless away record in the Premier League and have established themselves as strong contenders in the title race, and Matic feels his side are in a much better position to face the local rivals.

Matic told MUTV after the Everton win: “This time I hope we will use our chance; we will do our best.

“I think that we are now in a better condition, a better moment. We play better football than last year, in my opinion. I’m very confident.

“I think that everyone who supports Manchester United is happy, because to come here to Goodison Park, it’s not easy to control 90 minutes, and I think we did it.

“Let’s keep this momentum and this level of football.”

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