After an impressive pre-season with the club, Wilf Zaha has yet to feature for the first team, with David Moyes claiming there just hasn’t been the opportunity to play him yet.

The League Cup is often a competition United use to bring through the less experienced players but after being drawn against Liverpool, Moyes knew the game was a must win, and went with a strong starting XI.

“Wilf has not appeared. We have not felt we have had the opportunity,” said Moyes. “I want Wilf to get used to what happens here. The competition is hard. It is just impossible to get all these players a game at the one time. You can only ever play 11. It is important Wilf gets to see the level of the training here, the level of the players and the quality they have got. He is getting better which we are pleased about.”

There had been some talk of loaning Zaha back to his former club, Crystal Palace, but manager Ian Hollways has dismissed this idea.

“David Moyes has his own issues at Manchester United, so if we were to go shouting about wanting him back on loan, I don’t think we will ever get him back,” he said. “Besides, we have options [on the wings] – Jason Puncheon can play either side and in the pocket as well as in central midfield. Yannick Bolasie is coming back and will do well. It is all about having a squad that is strong enough to make changes and sustain good performances.”