United face City in Carabao Cup semi-finals

Holders Manchester City will face Manchester United in the semifinals of the League Cup after both sides saw off lower league opposition to make the last four on Wednesday.

Raheem Sterling’s second half double ensured City warded off a shock to win 3-1 at League One Oxford, while United ended fourth-tier Colchester United’s fairytale run with a 3-0 win at Old Trafford.

Leicester set up a semifinal meeting with Aston Villa after the Foxes survived a second half fightback from Everton to secure their place in the last four 4-2 on penalties after a 2-2 draw at Goodison Park.

City have won this competition for the past two seasons with Pep Guardiola’s only defeat in the League Cup coming to United three years ago.

Guardiola’s men will have a chance to avenge their 2-1 Premier League defeat to the Red Devils earlier this month when the sides clash over two legs in January.

“You always want to win trophies. We’ve got a nice little draw coming up, it’ll be exciting times,” said United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. “We’ve shown before we can do well against City.”

City made eight changes for the trip to Oxford, but still named a strong side and went ahead through Joao Cancelo’s first goal for the English champions midway through the first half.

However, Oxford went toe-to-toe with their illustrous visitors all night and levelled through Matty Taylor a minute into the second half.

Oxford even had more attempts on target than City, but did not have the predatory instincts of Sterling on their side as the England international twice tapped home from close range to spare City’s blushes.

“It was a tight game with the wind making things difficult but we did well,” said Guardiola, who was accompanied by assistant Mikel Arteta despite speculation suggesting he is set to be announced as Arsenal’s new manager.

Manchester United had to be patient before seeing off Colchester, who had beaten Tottenham and Crystal Palace to make the last eight.

Marcus Rashford was guilty of missing a host of chances in a goalless first half.

However, the England forward made amends six minutes into the second period with a calm finish to register a career-best 14th goal of the season.

Rashford was also the creator of United’s other two goals as Ryan Jackson turned a cross into his own net before Anthony Martial stretched to convert at the back post. – AFP