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Carabao Cup: Jesse Lingard fires Manchester United into quarters

Lingard scored a goal in each half as the Red Devils marched into the last-eight!

Carabao Cup: Jesse Lingard fires Manchester United into quarters

Manchester United midfielder Jesse Lingard (Photo: AFP)

Jesse Lingard struck a goal in each half as Manchester United beat Swansea 2-0 at the Liberty Stadium to progress to the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup.

Jose Mourinho rested several big names, including the likes of David de Gea, Nemanja Matic and Romelu Lukaku for Tuesday’s trip to Wales but there was enough quality in the Red Devils’ starting XI to avoid an upset.

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United youngsters Scott McTominay (midfield) and Axel Tuanzebe (defence) started for the first time this season as the visitors trotted out in a 3-4-3 formation.

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Lingard, playing up top with Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial, would give United the lead in the 21st minute as he finished off a well-worked move.

Ander Herrera found Rashford and the striker’s delicate flick fell for Lingard, who took a touch before sending a low shot past Kristoffer Nordfelt’s outstretched hands.

United had beaten Swansea 4-0 in the Premier League earlier this season and as they surged forward after the opener, the home support feared a repeat scoreline was on the cards.

Mourinho’s side were dominating the hosts and should have added a second via McTominay but the 6’4 midfielder was unable to keep his shot down after Martial had squared the ball for him.

Swansea had a few attempts but by and large, Sergio Romero was a virtual spectator as the hosts went into the dressing rooms at half-time trailing 1-0.

United, who suffered their first loss of the season at the hands of Huddersfield Town on Saturday, were eager to find a second goal which would give them some breathing space and it was Lingard who would be their man once again.

Wing-back Matteo Darmian spotted Lingard’s run into the box and swung in a cross for the winger, who headed with aplomb to double United’s lead on the hour-mark.

Nemanja Matic and Romelu Lukaku were sent on soon after and while United still had a monopoly of the possession, they wouldn’t mount a serious threat to Nordfelt’s goal again.

In fact, Swansea came closest to scoring the third goal of the game with in-form Tammy Abraham almost scoring within minutes of coming on with an effort from distance that Romero had to tip over the bar.

The Swans would have one final swing at the United goal with Leroy Fer but the midfielder’s point-blank volley was somehow parried away for a corner by Romero and the Red Devils registered yet another clean sheet.

They now host Tottenham Hotspur in a high-stakes Premier League clash on Saturday while Swansea travel to North London to take on Arsenal the same day.

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