Twenty-time English champions Manchester United made an effort to ensure their run in this year’s League Cup continued unabated after making short work of fellow Premier League side Swansea City on Tuesday.
United academy graduate Jesse Lingard scored a brace to help his side secure victory at Liberty Stadium, with fellow countryman Marcus Rashford and Italian full-back Matteo Darmian providing the assist.
The victory sees Manchester United return to winning ways following their shock loss against Huddersfield Town during the weekend. The win also ensures that United will have an opportunity to defend their League Cup crown – as they’ve won the title last season.
Swansea looked to score early on in the first half. Ki Sung-Yeung made a powerful shot from outside the box in the 14th minute, but it was blocked en route to goal.
Unfortunately for the Welsh side, it would be Manchester United who would open the scoring thanks to Lingard. Rashford made a smart flick of the ball towards goal, splitting Swansea’s defence wide open. Lingard then had an open run at goal and made no mistake.
3 – Three of Jesse Lingard's last four Manchester United goals have been scored in the League Cup. Specialist. #CarabaoCup
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) October 24, 2017
Swansea pressed on, winning a series of corners, but couldn’t find an opening as the first half came to a close.
Come the second half, it was Lingard again who comes to bring Swansea to the sword. Darmian’s cheeky pass finds a rushing Lingard inside the box. The Englishman jumps first and heads the ball home for United’s second goal of the game.
Swansea simply couldn’t find themselves an opportunity to score and ended up firing blanks. As a result, Manchester United march on to the fifth round of the League Cup.
FT: Swansea 0 #MUFC 2. Our defence of the @Carabao_Cup continues thanks to two superb @JesseLingard goals! pic.twitter.com/eMb0J3Ojas
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) October 24, 2017