Manchester United: Lackluster United suffers shock exit in the Carabao Cup

United’s Carabao Cup title defense ended at the hand of Bristol City on Wednesday night.

For the first time in his managerial career, Jose Mourinho suffered a defeat against a lower tier opponent in the Carabao Cup. Korey Smith’s goal at the 93rd minute stunned the reigning champions who were lackluster for most of the night.

Mourinho made the wholesale change to the squad following the 2-1 victory against West Brom on Sunday, but his squad was made of international players in virtually every position. However, the Championship side played with more heart and effort and deservedly earned their place in the final four.

Questions will be asked to Mourinho after United’s uninspiring performance. The manager decided to play in a more conservative manner, asking his players to sit deep and patiently wait for chances. The away team should have played on the front foot Wednesday night.

Nevertheless, United clearly showed a lack of commitment. Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford, rarely sprinted 60 yards tracking back whenever the team was attacked. Daley Blind and Scott McTominay, were too passive to control the second ball. Bristol City scored both of their goals in the same manner, controlling a loose ball in the midfield and initiate a counter-attack when United’s defensive line was disorganized.

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United played a decent offensive game:

United played a decent game offensively. Paul Pogba, who was given a run out after serving a three-match suspension, pulled the strings. Martial did enough to cause trouble on Bristol’s right side, while Rashford took advantage of his pace on the other side. United created enough chances to see off the game, but them not finishing was ultimately their undoing.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic made his first start since Marchnand scored United’s only goal of the game, he was nowhere near his best. His presence was more a burden to United’s midfield, dropping deep created a numerical superiority in the no-danger zone. At times, Martial and Rashford were left in no man’s land, while the Swedish was 30 yards away from goal.

Romelu Lukaku might not be a complete forward, but his presence is always felt on the opposing defenders’ shoulder. In contrast, Ibrahimovic dropped to deep this match, which killed United’s tempo in the counter-attack. The Swede also missed two chances he should have converted inside the box, which could have been the difference of a knockout tie.

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Bristol City might have been the luckier team, but they fought to earn the luck. Meanwhile, United’s second string players didn’t perform their best, certainly didn’t earn their manager’s favors and gain more minutes on the pitch.