Manchester United take major stars including Paul Pogba and Zlatan Ibrahimovic on flight to Bristol for Carabao Cup clash as Marcos Rojo says they must 'dominate proceedings' against Championship club
- Manchester United took to the skies as they attempt to match local rivals City with a Carabao Cup win
- Jose Mourinho's United visit Bristol City in the last eight and the manager has taken several major names
- Paul Pogba, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial all seen boarding the private jet
- United took the unusual decision to travel the 140-mile journey on the same day as the away game
Manchester United took to the skies on Wednesday morning as they attempt to match the heights set by Premier League rivals and neighbours City.
On Tuesday night, Pep Guardiola's men continued their quest for the quadruple, winning their Carabao Cup semi final away to Leicester City on penalties.
Now it is the turn of Jose Mourinho's United, who visit Championship high-fliers Bristol City, hoping to book their own place in the last four.
Manchester United took to the skies on Wednesday morning as they attempt to match rivals Manchester City
Jose Mourinho's United visit Championship side Bristol City in the Carabao Cup, making the 140-mile journey in a private jet
United went in style, unusually travelling on the morning of the game. Here, Luke Shaw and Chris Smalling board the plane
United traveled down early on Wednesday morning, taking the unusual decision to travel on the day of the game for a match on the other side of the country, rather than arriving the night before.
They did go in style however , making the 140-mile journey to the south west in a private jet from Manchester Airport.
Mourinho led his charges on to the plane, followed by a selection of fringe players and youth prospects looking to take an opportunity to impress in rare starts.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan is among those expected to start at Ashton Gate after falling out of favour this season
Mourinho is taking no chances against lower league opponents, with major stars such as Paul Pogba seen flying to Bristol
While City played a selection of youngsters in their game, United look likely to play the likes of Zlatan Ibrahimovic
He is not gambling too readily with his reserves however, with several major first-team players also seen boarding the plane.
These included Paul Pogba, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial, showing how United are not under-estimating an opponent deep in the race for promotion to the Premier League.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan is among those expected to start at Ashton Gate after falling out of favour this season, while Luke Shaw and Axel Tuanzebe were also among those seen climbing the airport steps.
(L to R): Chris Smalling, Jesse Lingard and Marcus Rashford climb the steps to board the plane at Manchester airport
Marcos Rojo is also expected to feature, as the Argentinian centre back continues his recovery from long-term injury.
He says United must show their dominance over the only non-Premier League side to reach the quarter finals, as United look to defend the trophy they won at Wembley last season.
Rojo told MUTV: 'I think it is important, even though we are away from home, that we go there really positive and try to take the game to them, impose ourselves on the game and try to dominate proceedings from the word go. Hopefully, by imposing our style, we can come away with a victory that we need.
'People talk about this trophy saying it is not important but, when you have had the experience of getting a long way in the competition and eventually winning it, everyone wants to do it again.'
United are taking several first team players, including Anthony Martial - pictured climbing to the plane - for the game
Midfielder Scott McTominay is also in contention to start on Wednesday night, and he predicts United will be playing a Bristol side fired up by their chance of taking on one of England's biggest teams.
McTominay said: 'I actually know a few of the lads that are playing there and I know that they have a really strong team and the supporters there are really strong as well.
'They are going well in the league this year and it's a big confidence boost for them - when the results are going their way and they see Man United next on the fixture list. They will go into the game to give everything and so will we as well.'
Scott McTominay (centre) and Matteo Darmian (right) climbing aboard the private plane at Manchester Airport
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