London - Jose Mourinho could be making his last touchline appearance for a while when West Ham visit Old Trafford in the EFL Cup on Wednesday night.
A second ban of the season looms for the Manchester United manager after he was sent to the stands for the 15th time in his managerial career in Sunday’s Premier League draw against tonight’s opponents.
Mourinho has until 6pm tomorrow to respond to a Football Association improper conduct charge over his behaviour, which included kicking a water bottle on the touchline.
If found guilty he faces another ban to follow the one-game suspension he received for his complaints to referee Mark Clattenburg in last month’s draw with Burnley.
While senior figures at United are growing increasingly frustrated with his antics, Mourinho is no stranger to being sent to the stands, having been given his marching orders throughout his career at Porto, Chelsea, Inter Milan and Real Madrid.
Meanwhile, defender Luke Shaw is ready to fight for his future at United despite falling out of favour with Mourinho. The 21-year-old is set to return to action for tonight’s match despite being left out of the squad on Sunday when Mourinho preferred to play Italian right back Matteo Darmian on the left.
Mourinho has publicly criticised the England defender on two occasions this season, including earlier this month when Shaw said ‘he was not in the condition to play’.
His comments were said to have disappointed several senior players at United, who had seen Shaw battle back from a double leg break last year.
Crystal Palace have been linked with a loan move for Shaw in the January transfer window. However, it is understood the player has no intention of leaving United and wants to establish himself as the club’s first-choice left back.
He may re-assess the situation in the summer if it does not improve but remains committed to the club.
Anthony Martial, another young United player who has struggled to hit top form under Mourinho, is also set for a recall against West Ham, along with Michael Carrick, as Mourinho looks to take a step closer to lifting the trophy he won three times at Chelsea.
Paul Pogba will miss the game through suspension after he was booked against West Ham in the incident that prompted Mourinho’s touchline outburst.
West Ham manager Slaven Bilic has hinted that striker Andy Carroll will return against United, having missed more than three months with a knee injury.
The 27-year-old will play some part at Old Trafford, but, given his history of injuries, Bilic does not want to rush him back. He said: ‘For Andy it should be good to play 20 minutes or half an hour, and then against Arsenal on Saturday. If you are talking about 90 minutes on Wednesday and 90 minutes on Saturday, it is suicidal.’
MAN UTD (4-2-3-1, probable): Romero; Valencia, Jones, Blind, Shaw; Carrick, Herrera; Mkhitaryan, Rooney, Martial; Ibrahimovic.
West Ham (3-4-2-1, probable): Adrian; Kouyate,Reid, Ogbonna; Fernandes, Nordtveit, Obiang, Cresswell; Ayew, Payet; Fletcher.
* Mar 10, 2003
Porto 4 Lazio 1
* Feb 27, 2005
Chelsea 3 Liverpool 2
* Jan 25, 2009
Inter Milan 1 Sampdoria 0
* Mar 15, 2009
Inter Milan 2 Fiorentina 0
* Sep 20, 2009
Cagliari 1 Inter Milan 2
* Dec 5, 2009
Juventus 2 Inter 1
* Nov 10, 2010
Real Madrid 5 Real Murcia 1
* Apr 24, 2011
Real Madrid 0 Barcelona 2
* Mar 21, 2012
Villarreal 1 Real Madrid 1
*May 17, 2013
Real Madrid 1 Atletico Madrid 2
* Oct 19, 2013
Chelsea 4 Cardiff 1
* Mar 15, 2014
Aston Villa 1 Chelsea 0
* Oct 24, 2015
West Ham 2 Chelsea 1
* Oct 29, 2016
Man Utd 0 Burnley 0
* Nov 28, 2016
Man Utd 1 West Ham 1
Daily Mail