Man United 1-0 Man City: Disaster averted

Matt Stead

Juan Mata gave Manchester United a timely shot in the arm as Jose Mourinho’s men extended Manchester City’s alarming winless streak to progress to the EFL Cup quarter-finals.

Both sides’ need for a win added intrigue to an already mouth-watering derby, with Pep Guardiola’s men unable to eke out victories of late and United reeling from Sunday’s 4-0 humiliation at Chelsea.

Mourinho apologised for the unacceptable result at his former stomping ground and went some way to making amends on Wednesday, with Mata’s strike securing a 1-0 triumph that condemned Guardiola to a sixth successive winless match for the first time in his managerial career.

City were a far cry from the side that had at times lit up Old Trafford last month, but that was little surprise given the main protagonists were absent as the Spaniard plumped for nine changes.

Mourinho made a comparatively restrained four alterations to the side humbled at Stamford Bridge, although neither team was able to get a first-half shot on target as they struggled for attacking fluency.

Willy Caballero impressively tipped a Paul Pogba strike on the post when United first threatened after half-time, but the City goalkeeper was unable to prevent Mata sweeping home minutes later.

United held on to knock out the reigning champions and secure Mourinho just his fourth win against Guardiola, which will surely put a smile on the Portuguese’s face after he spoke of his troubles living alone in a Manchester hotel.