United and City through to cup quarter finals
Reds win 2-0 at Swansea while City beat Wolves on penalties in EFL Cup
Last updated 25th Oct 2017
Pep Guardiola blamed the match ball as City failed to break down a resilient Wolverhampton Wanderers side at the Etihad in the Carabao Cup. The Blues needed penalties to overcome the visitors as the game ended goalless after extra time.
The oft-maligned Chile goalkeeper again came to the rescue in the penalty shootout, denying Alfred N'Diaye and Conor Coady as City won 4-1 on penalties after a scoreless 120 minutes.
Guardiola is understandably pleased to have progressed - but the fact they have to play with the English Football League's Mitre match ball grates.
"The ball is not acceptable to play with... at that level,'' the City boss said.
"We play with a different ball. It's not Nike, Adidas I don't know, it's a different brand. It's unacceptable to play with the ball.
"That ball is not a serious ball for a professional game.
"I say that because we won, eh? If I don't win, I don't say that because after that it's excuses. As I won, I can tell you: it is not acceptable to play.
"If it's for the marketing, for the money, for many reasons, it's okay but it's not acceptable to play with that ball.
"No weight, nothing."
United had an easier night with a comfortable 2-0 win over Swansea City thanks to a brace from Jesse Lingard.
After Saturday's loss to Huddersfield it was the perfect response from Jose Mourinho's side, the United boss said: "Since the first minute we felt like we were in the game, we were pressing high, we were comfortable on the pitch."
"It was good, we were solid, we were comfortable, we were in control."
"We were really comfortable, our attitude was very good. I'm really happy; no injuries so a good day for us."
The quarter-final draw will be held in London at 4pm on Thursday 26 October