Jose Mourinho branded Bristol City as ‘lucky’ after Manchester United were sent crashing out of the League Cup by the Championship side.
City sent United out after Korey Smith’s stoppage-time strike secured a stunning 2-1 victory.
The Championship promotion challengers joined Manchester City, Chelsea and Arsenal in the last-four as Smith’s winner rocked a star-studded United side.
Joe Bryan gave City a 51st-minute lead but Zlatan Ibrahimovic equalised shortly afterwards. Then, just when extra-time beckoned, Smith was set free by Matty Taylor and delivered the goods.
United became City’s fourth Premier League scalp in the Carabao Cup this season after they sent Watford, Stoke and Crystal Palace packing.
They were a bit lucky but they fought a lot to be lucky. Everyone was waiting for our goal so they were lucky. We hit the post twice,” Mourinho told Sky Sports.
But they played brilliantly, they fought like it was the game of their lives which probably it was. A beautiful day for football. A team from the lower division won. A big day for them.
In the first half we lacked the intensity that they had. Physically and mentally. It was one more day in the office for my players, a day that some of them didn’t even want to come to he office.
Brilliant draw but first we have to get over this feeling. Unbelievably proud. The players are a special group, not just in ability but in personality. Great goal from kKorey, the lads were dying on their feet and we did not want extra time. I think it is the best moment in my or my dad’s tenure, yeah. The players have been phenomenal: a young group, full of energy, every single one of these players will go down in folklore. We have gone through bad results and that has made us stronger. At times we looked like a PL side, the movement, the energy. I could not be prouder.
I thank Jose Mourinho for his words before hand, and for the game. You don’t want to see a pitch invasion but you have to understand the passion.
I will not let them celebrate tonight, we have got a big game on Saturday. I think there won’t be many fans turning up tomorrow for work, they’ll be on the cider.
Paul Pogba has missed 15 of Manchester United’s 27 matches this season but was back tonight. They are second in the Premier League, won their Champions League group and were expected to progress through to the Carabao Cup semi-finals.
But they won’t be retaining the Carabao Cup this season after losing 2-1 to Bristol City at Ashton Gate.
Jose Mourinho rested a number of first-teamers for the trip to Bristol City including David de Gea and Nemanja Matic but striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic made his first start since April 20 and scored for United.
But it wasn’t enough to see them get through to the semi-final with Bristol getting through thanks to a late winner from Korey Smith which saw United crash out of the competition.