Manchester United host Rochdale in the EFL Cup and it is the home team that are, themselves, fearing the worst of the League One opposition who can simply head to Old Trafford under no pressure and enjoy the occasion.

This in itself should make Ole Gunnar Solskjaer wary ahead of the clash.

The Red Devils are under an enormous amount of pressure, after just one win from their last five Premier League encounters. Rochdale, though, are struggling too, without a win in their last four which included a 6-0 hammering to Peterborough.

Despite this recent bad run of form, what are two ways that Dale can look to trouble United later tonight?

Won on the wings?

United will make changes to their usual back four and could bring in Diogo Dalot and Marcos Rojo to the respective full-back positions. Both of which have tendencies to drift out of position – the former pushing up in attack, and the other getting drawn in centrally after having often played at centre back.

Rochdale’s last two-goal scorers have both been wingers. Rekeil Pyke and Stephen Dooley scored against Fleetwood Town and Lincoln City respectively in the last two games and will fancy their chances against two defenders who are lacking minutes.

Pressure on United

The home side will be wary anyway. But given the current situation surrounding Solskjaer, and their recent run of form, it is almost as if this is a must-win game for the Man United manager. For Rochdale, their supporters are heading to Old Trafford simply wanting a good experience. Sometimes, a great amount of pressure can be a team’s undoing, especially if that team fields a young side as Manchester United are expected to do.

Rochdale supporters and players alike need to utilise the pressure surrounding the opposition and enjoy themselves. Often, playing with freedom and not being expected to get anything from a game can bring the best out of a side.