Ruben Amorim's side so nearly came from three goals down at Spurs but came up short at the last after moments of madness from their stand-in stopper
Manchester United exited the Carabao Cup at the quarter-final stage after an enthralling 4-3 defeat at Tottenham on Thursday night. Ruben Amorim made five changes to the starting XI which beat Manchester City on Sunday, with Marcus Rashford left out of the squad altogether again after revealing his desire to leave earlier in the week.
The much-rotated United were made to pay when they were caught cold early on. A Tottenham free-kick routine teed up Pedro Porro on the edge of the box, and his shot was parried away by backup goalkeeper Altay Bayindir into the path of Dominic Solanke, who swept home on the volley having found himself unmarked at close range.
Though the visitors had a lot of possession and territory, they nearly found themselves two down when Dejan Kulusevski's low cross though the box was cut out by Manuel Ugarte, who was rather thankful the loose ball bounced the other side of the post and behind.
Almost immediately from kick-off at the start of the second half, United conceded a second. James Maddison's cut-back was only half cleared by Lisandro Martinez, and Kulusevski reacted quickest to convert and double Spurs' lead.
From there, United were in danger of caving in and Tottenham soon had their third. Djed Spence's through ball set Solanke racing away against Martinez, and the England striker was able to come inside onto his stronger right foot before firing past Bayindir.
Amorim made a triple substitution to try and stem the tide, and that paid dividends straight away as Joshua Zirkzee pulled one back. Fraser Forster's loose pass to Radu Dragusin was pounced upon by Bruno Fernandes, who squared for the Dutchman to tap in. Spurs continued to crumble as Forster gifted them a second goal, kicking straight into the onrushing Amad Diallo as United pulled to within one goal again.
A 25-yarder from Diallo then caught Forster so off guard he had to kick the bouncing ball away as nerves shrouded much of the stadium. But Spurs managed to weather the storm and scored a fourth entering the game's closing stages. Son Heung-min's wicked corner floated all the way over Bayindir, who claimed he was fouled by Lucas Bergvall, and into the net.
There was a smidgen of late hope for United when Jonny Evans headed in a stoppage-time corner, but that proved to be too little and too late as Spurs advanced to the semi-finals.
GOAL rates Manchester United's players from Tottenham Hotspur Stadium…
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Altay Bayindir (2/10):
United suffered a huge mental blow after his poor save led to Solanke's opening goal, while the Turkiye international's kicking was also nowhere near the level of Andre Onana's. To cap off a terrible night, he allowed Son's corner to sail over him and effectively ice the game for Tottenham.
Leny Yoro (7/10):
It's probably a bad thing for United and Amorim that their best defender on the night was a teenager who's hardly played all season since his summer arrival. Took responsibility with some important tackles and headers.
Victor Lindelof (6/10):
Barely lasted 45 minutes on a rare start before succumbing to a muscle injury. Didn't look too rusty for what that first half was worth.
Lisandro Martinez (4/10):
Not a performance the Argentine will want to watch back in a hurry. Caught flat-footed way too often and showed a lack of authority for Spurs' second and third goals.
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Noussair Mazraoui (6/10):
An adult in the room in the defensive third. Didn't provide enough width to take advantage of Tottenham's half-hearted marking the way that Dalot did on the other flank, even if he showed off his fine technique coming infield and adding extra presence there.
Christian Eriksen (7/10):
United's best player in his 55 minutes on the pitch, opening up his former side with several switches of play over the top. Afforded a standing ovation upon being subbed, though that's of little consolation to the travelling Red Devils.
Manuel Ugarte (6/10):
One of the Uruguayan's better displays since his move from Paris Saint-Germain, keeping play ticking and evading danger with his quick feet. Taken off for Garnacho after United grabbed their second.
Diogo Dalot (6/10):
Like Mazraoui was solid defensively, though troubled Tottenham with his overlaps outside of the inverting Fernandes.
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Antony (4/10):
Bounced off the ball several times early doors like a youngster just finding his feet in England. Completely muzzled out of the contest when not afforded acres of space to spread play. Hooked for Diallo.
Rasmus Hojlund (4/10):
Won plenty of headers against Dragusin, though that seldom helped United up the pitch to be truthful. Had a strange bout of brain-freeze on a couple of occasions when he should have got a shot away. Replaced by Zirkzee.
Bruno Fernandes (7/10):
Dropped into midfield a fair bit to help out Ugarte and Eriksen. The orchestrator of United's best openings (besides when Tottenham goalkeeper Forster was offering to them instead).
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Jonny Evans (6/10):
Came on for the injured Lindelof just before the break and into rather frantic conditions, though he did well to stay afloat despite the madness. Scored late in the day and the last of seven goals on the night.
Joshua Zirkzee (7/10):
On for the ineffective Hojlund and changed the game immediately with his pressing from the front, even if there was a bit of fortune about how United got on the scoresheet.
Amad Diallo (7/10):
Strangely afforded a rest despite his hot run of form. Replaced Antony and gave the hosts jitters whenever he was on the ball.
Kobbie Mainoo (7/10):
Brought on for Eriksen. Provided continuity from the Dane but also some needed composure.
Alejandro Garnacho (N/A):
Brought back into the fold after his omission from the derby and replaced Ugarte. Didn't see a lot of the ball in his spare minutes.
Ruben Amorim (6/10):
For the most part, United weren't actually too bad and on another day may have had more luck to win. However, the rotating of the squad came back to bite the new head coach, with Bayindir particularly letting him down.
