United crush Hammers to reach cup semis
Reds defeat West Ham 4-1.
United progressed into the EFL Cup semi-finals after a crushing 4 – 1 win against West Ham United at Old Trafford.
The opening goal was scored by Zlatan Ibrahimovic in the first two minutes before ex- united youngster Ashley Fletcher levelled the score.
Shortly after half-time Anthony Martial made the score 2 -1, with a cross from Henrikh Mkhitaryan. Martial then extended United’s lead with another smashing goal after a low cross from Antonio Valencia. With Ibrahimovic tapping in a last minute goal to secure the team’s place in the semi-finals.
Man of the match was Henrikh Mkhitaryan, with Rooney also delivering an impressive performance in the game.
Bastian Schweinsteiger got a massive cheer from the Old Trafford crowd when he was introduced late on for his first appearance of the season.
Jose Mourinho was absent from the game after being given a one-match touchline ban. Watching from a ‘secret’ location Mourinho was inside the stadium but was only seen before and after the game.
He expressed his satisfaction with the outcome. “I'm pleased with the goals because the performance is something we're used to,” Mourinho told Sky Sports. “Goals plus performance means the real happiness.”
West Ham boss Slaven Bilic admitted his side were outplayed. He said: “I'm very disappointed, they deserved it. You can't expect anything here when you have such a slow start to the game.”
United will now play Hull for a place in the Wembley final. The first leg of the semi-finals will be played over the evenings of January 10th and 11th before the return legs take place on January 24th and 25th.
Liverpool will face Southampton in the competition's other semi final.