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It is 34 years since Manchester City last won a major trophy. Since winning the 1976 League Cup final, City fans have had to stand by helplessly and watch as their biggest rivals have won every piece of silverware going, collecting an astonishing 25 major honours (11 Premier League titles, 8 FA Cups, 2 European Cups, 1 Cup Winners' Cup, 3 League Cups).
Thirteen City managers have tried and failed to match the exploits of Sir Alex Ferguson since the Scot arrived at Old Trafford in 1986.
Now it is the turn of Roberto Mancini. The former Inter Milan manager certainly has the pedigree - in a seven-year spell managing in Serie A he won three league titles and four Coppa Italias to add to the two Serie A titles and six Italian Cups he won as a player.
In Italy, Mancini was said to be "baciato dalla grazia" - kissed by fortune - and a seemingly effortless start to life at Eastlands with four wins in his first four games further sealed that reputation. But Saturday's defeat at Everton provided a reminder that greater challenges await.
Manchester United's season has been one of injuries, inconsistency and financial instability. The champions returned to winning ways on Sunday with a 3-0 victory over Burnley, but with seven defeats already this season and the wounds of the FA Cup exit to Leeds still raw, the League Cup has taken on greater significance and Ferguson is likely to field a stronger line-up against City than might have been expected.
Head-to-head
• This is the 153rd meeting between these sides in all competitions. Man Utd have won 62 to Man City's 41, with 49 draws.
• City beat United 4-0 en route to winning the 1976 League Cup final. They also beat United 4-3 on aggregate in the 1969/70 semi-final.
• United's only League Cup victory over City came in the third round of the 1974/75 competition.
• The last three Manchester derbies at Eastlands have ended 1-0, twice in United's favour.
Manchester City
• Man City have won two League Cups (1970 and 1976) and were runners-up in 1974.
• This is City's first major semi-final since they defeated Ipswich Town to reach the 1981 FA Cup final.
• City last won a major trophy 34 years ago. Coincidentally, it was the League Cup.
• City have lost only two of their last 20 league and cup games.
Manchester United
• Man Utd are the current League Cup holders. They also won the 1992 and 2006 League Cups. They have been runners-up four times (1983, 1991, 1994, 2003).
• Under Sir Alex Ferguson United have contested seven League Cup semi-finals, reaching the final on six occasions.
• United have only won four of their last eight games.
• If selected, Edwin van der Sar will make his 200th appearance for United.
