League Cup: Manchester United survive scare against lowly Rochdale
Manchester United, who are struggling for consistency in the Premier League, converted all their spot kicks in the shootout to survive scare against Rochdale in their League Cup match on Thursday.
HIGHLIGHTS
Manchester United, who are struggling for consistency in the Premier League, converted all their spot kicks in the shootout to survive scare against Rochdale in their League Cup match on Thursday.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Man United beat third tier struggler
- Rochdale on penalties
- West Ham, Bournemouth and Sheffield United were eliminated
- Liverpool clinched a 2-0 win at MK Dons
Manchester United narrowly avoided one of the most embarrassing cup exits in its history, only beating third-tier struggler Rochdale in a penalty shootout after conceding a goal to a 16-year-old school kid in normal time.
On a night when top-flight teams West Ham, Bournemouth and Sheffield United were eliminated by lower-division opposition in the third round of the English League Cup, United had a major let-off at Old Trafford despite fielding a lineup containing Paul Pogba and $60-million offseason signing Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
Rochdale, which is languishing in 17th place in the 24-team League One, had a shot cleared off the line before going behind to a goal by 17-year-old United striker Mason Greenwood. He wasn't even the youngest player to score in the match, with Luke Matheson - playing the 14th game of his professional career at a ground close to his high school - equalizing in the 76th minute to take the game to penalties.
United converted all its spot kicks in the shootout and won it 5-3. The reward: A fourth-round trip to Chelsea, which had a much easier time in dispatching fourth-tier Grimsby 7-1 at home.
The performance and result highlighted United's lack of strength in depth this season, though Greenwood continues to be a bright spark. He scored for a second straight match at Old Trafford, having grabbed the winner against Astana in the Europa League last week.
With Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial currently injured, Greenwood could be set for an extended run in the team under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who has described the youngster as one of the best finishers he has ever seen.
HUMILIATION FOR THE HAMMERS
Oxford, which plays in the third tier, rested six of its regular players but still thrashed West Ham 4-0 in an embarrassing result for the team that beat Man United in the Premier League at the weekend. All of Oxford's goals came in the second half at Kassam Stadium.
Third-tier Burton Albion beat Bournemouth 2-0 in a match featuring three floodlight failures that led to 28 minutes of second-half stoppage time being played, and Sheffield United lost 1-0 at home to third-tier Sunderland. Brighton was the fourth Premier League team to lose Wednesday, beaten 3-1 at home to fellow top-flight side Aston Villa.
LIVERPOOL THROUGH
It was a memorable night for two teenagers for Liverpool. At 17 years and 250 days, Ki-Jana Hoever became the fourth youngest scorer for the club when he headed in the second goal in the 2-0 win at MK Dons.
It followed the opener by James Milner, one of the senior players in an otherwise weakened lineup fielded by manager Jurgen Klopp.
Harvey Elliott also played for Liverpool, becoming the youngest player to start a competitive match for Liverpool at 16 years and 174 days.
FOURTH-ROUND DRAW
Aston Villa vs. Wolverhampton Wanderers
Everton vs. Watford
Burton Albion vs. Leicester
Manchester City vs. Southampton
Chelsea vs. Manchester United
Crawley vs. Colchester
Liverpool vs. Arsenal
Oxford vs. Sunderland
