Lingard at the double as United ease past Swansea

 

Jesse Lingard was the man of the hour for Manchester United on Tuesday as his two-goal salvo handed Jose Mourinho's side victory over Swansea in the Carabao Cup to ensure United's place in the last eight.

Both sides went into the game looking to bounce back from their defeats in the Premier League at the weekend but it was United who ensure their place in the quarter-finals.
The visitors had the better of the opening exchanges as Chris Smalling headed wide with less than 90 seconds on the clock before Lingard tried his luck from range.
Swansea grew into the game though and there was little between the two sides for the first 20 minutes or so.
That changed in an instant after 21 minutes as United demonstrated their superior quality.
Angel Rangel gave the ball away down the right and United punished them accordingly. Ander Herrera picked out Marcus Rashford and his delicate flick was perfect for Lingard to stride forward and clinically fire past Kristoffer Nordfeldt from the edge of the box to give United the lead.
Despite the setback, Swansea responded well and almost levelled in bizarre fashion when Ki’s cross from the left was headed against McBurnie by Blind with the ball dropping just wide of the post with Sergio Romero beaten.
There were few guilt-edged chances in the first half and as it drew to a close McTominay and Clucas exchanged efforts from range but neither was able to test the opposition goalkeeper as United went in a goal to the good at the break.
The visitors started the second half the better side, with only good defending from Alfie Mawson preventing Anthony Martial from getting in behind.
There was nothing Mawson could do just before the hour mark though as Lingard doubled his tally for the night.
Axel Tuanzebe brought the ball out from the back before feeding Matteo Darmian down the right. The Italian got his head up and crossed for for Lingard who headed home from just inside the Swansea box to put United in cruise control.
It could have been a first ever United hat-trick for Lingard just minutes later as he was played in by Blind but the England international could only drag his effort across goal when well placed.
Tuanzebe had a chance to score his first United goal after 69 minutes as Nordfeldt failed to deal with Smalling’s header from a corner but the youngster could only stab over from three yards.
The introduction of Tammy Abraham gave the hosts something of a boost and he almost scored with his first involvement in the game as he took aim from the edge of the box to force Romero into his first real save of the night.
Jordan Ayew fired a free kick straight at the Argentinian minutes later as Swansea threatened a late rally but United always looked to have the result under lock and key.
Romero made an impressive reaction stop to deny substitute Leroy Fer with what proved to be the last action of the game as he ensures he left South Wales with a clean sheet.
The result makes sure that United’s name goes into the hat for the next round, whilst Swansea will now have to focus on their domestic campaign.
Jose Mourinho's 100% record at the Liberty Stadium remains in tact, though his focus will now switch to Saturday's lunchtime kick-off against the in-form Tottenham Hotspur. Swansea, for their part, face the trip to the Emirates to play Arsenal.