Manchester United v Manchester City:

The fourth round of the EFL Cup seen a mouth watering meeting between Manchester neighbours, United and City. It would be the second time Mourinho and Guardiola would square off this season, with 'Pep' holding the bragging rights after a 2-1 victory at Old Trafford earlier in the season. United were looking to bounce back from a humiliating 4-0 defeat against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, while Citywere looking to themselves improve on their showing after their 1-1 draw at home to Southampton also on Sunday. Mourinho made 4 changes to his side who were outclassed by Chelsea, with Marcos Rojo and Luke Shaw returning, replacing Smalling and the injured Eric Bertrand Bailly, with Juan Mata coming in for Jesse Lingard, while Wayne Rooney was replaced by the captaining Michael Carrick. City made 9 changes themselves, with only Leroy Sane and Vincent Kompany continuing from the 1-1 draw with Southampton, with youngsters Pablo Maffeo and Aleix Garcia getting a chance, while exciting striker Kelechi Iheanacho continuing up top, looking to build on his impressive recent form. City got us underway, with United looking to avoid conceding another early goal, when Pedro netting inside the first 30 seconds for Chelsea last Sunday. All eyes were once again on Paul Pogba, who received criticism from Jamie Carragher for his ill disciplined preformance against City last time out. An early chance fell to the away side, with Jeus Navas brilliantly picking out Iheanacho, but the young Nigerian could only head over De Gea's bar from close range, great chance for City. Early pressure from City forced a patient passing build up from United, who were cautious about squandering possession. A clever touch from Nolito drew a clumsy foul from Daley Blind as City regained possession. Mike Dean denied Aleix Garcia a penalty after a tussle with Michael Carrick inside 10 minutes. A slip from Kelechi Iheanacho brought down Daley Blind in the process, with Mike Dean issuing a harsh yellow card to the youngster. A misplaced Herrera pass set up a City counter attack which was eventually stopped by Juan Mata who did well to track back. A good passing move involving Pogba, resulted in Nicholas Otamendi bringing down Juan Mata in shooting range, with Ibrahimovic winning a corner after his effort was blocked by the wall. A very clumsy Antonio Valencia challenge on Fernando, saw the Ecudorian rightfully receive a yellow card from Mike Dean. A great overlapping run from Luke Shaw who teed up Pogba, who let Ibrahimovic have a crack, set up a decent chance for United, which was eventually deflected wide. Another great United setup Rashford who took too long on the ball as his shot inside the area was blocked. Nolito found Iheanacho in some space down the left and he was eventually stopped by Marcos Rojo, game starting to come to life. Half time at Old Trafford, nil all.

United got us started for the second half, with Aleksander Kolarov replacing Vincent Kompany, with
Guardiola looking to nurture the Belgian back to fitness after recent muscle injuries. A mistake from Juan Mata allowed City in but a mistake from Nolito seen the chance disappear. A fantastic United move involving Herrera and Mata, fell to Paul Pogba who seen his effort tipped onto the post your Willy Cabellero, best chance of the night for either side. A great spell from United was capped off with a goal through Juan Mata. Good play from Ibrahimovic allowed him to play a ball into the area which evaded the oncoming Herrera, but not the oncoming Juan Mata who swept past Cabellero to make it one nil to United. The high tempo played by United in the opening minutes of the second half resulted in the breakdown at the back for City. Gruardiola rang his second change of the evening as Leroy Sane was replaced by former Liverpool forward Raheem Sterling. A great cross from Rashford found a lurking Ibrahimovic who couldn't make a clean connection as the chance escaped the big Swede, City let off the hook. Sergio Aguero was introduced by Guardiola as he replaced Nolito, City looking for a way back into the game. Mourinho introduced Morgan Schneiderlin for goal scorer Juan Mata with just under 20 minutes to go. Another good cross from Rashford was cut out from Malleo who's kept out the on rushing Paul Pogba. Marcus Rashford was withdrawn for Jesse Lingard for the last 10 or so minutes. Four minutes of added time was added on Mike Dean, with Paul Pogba receiving a yellow card for a rash challenge, along with Ibrahimovic who was booked for dissent. Cabellero did well to get off his line quick and beat Pogba to the ball with the the Frenchman through on goal. A very disciplined preformance from United seen then recover from their Premier League hangover, United one, City nil.

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Ross