Juan Mata fires winner as Manchester United dump out Manchester City

Juan Mata struck the winner as Manchester United gave Jose Mourinho a timely boost by dumping neighbours City out of the League Cup with a 1-0 victory at Old Trafford.

The Spaniard arrived on cue to slot home Zlatan Ibrahimovic's cutback on 54 minutes to send the Red Devils into the quarter finals at the expense of the holders after what proved to be a match of few clear-cut openings.

United had come into the contest on the back of just one league win in six, including a chastening loss at Chelsea last time out. The nature of that 4-0 demolition led Mourinho to apologise to supporters in his programme notes and his intent was clear as he named a strong line up.

In contrast, Guardiola made nine changes from the Premier League draw with Southampton despite a five-match winless run, and he ultimately paid the price for opting for a second-string.

It could have been a different story had Kelechi Iheanacho given the visitors an early lead but he contrived to head Jesus Navas' sublime cross over from close range.

It proved to be as good as it would get for Guardiola's men and United stepped it up after the break, hitting the post through Paul Pogba before Mata's match-winning strike.

City threw on Sergio Aguero and Raheem Sterling in an attempt to rescue the tie, but United looked comfortable and easily condemned Gaurdiola to his worst ever managerial run of six matches without victory.

Jose needed that more than Pep. City may well have lost the bragging rights, but with an awkward Premier League trip to West Brom followed hot on the heels by the visit of Barcelona in the Champions League, Guardiola's team selection was clear in terms of his priorities in the coming days. It may sting a bit and some questions may be posed as a result of this poor run, but the Citizens are still top of the league and generally happy with life under Pep.

However, United's drop in form in recent weeks has caused some alarm amongst the Old Trafford faithful, with many beginning to worry at the nature of the 4-0 loss at Chelsea. Beating their neighbours to progress to the last eight of a cup competition will help create more of a feel-good factor and with Burnley at home next up, Mourinho will believe this can be the springboard to overcome what he hopes is just an early blip in his Old Trafford career.

Marcus Rashford (Manchester United): For all the money spent on big names, the homegrown Rashford remains United's most exciting attacking threat. His pace on the flanks caused City plenty of nervy moments. The striker turns 19 next week and it says much about his maturity that he is already key to their hopes for a successful season.

Manchester United: De Gea 6, Valencia 6, Rojo 6, Blind 6, Shaw 5, Carrick 6, Herrera 7, Mata 7, Pogba 6, Rashford 7, Ibrahimovic 6. Subs: Schneiderlin 6, Lingard n/a.

Manchester City: Caballero 7; Maffeo 7, Otamendi 6, Kompany 5, Clichy 6; Fernando 6, Garcia 7; Navas 7, Nolito 6, Sané 5; Iheanacho 6. Subs: Kolarov 6, Sterling 6, Aguero 6.

2' - MAN CITY CHANCE! Navas surges down the right and sends in a delicious cross for Iheanacho who somehow heads over from inside the six-yard box. A big miss and a let off for United who almost conceded early once again.

49' - MAN UNITED CHANCE! United move up a gear and tear through City's rearguard. Zlatan feeds Pogba on the left of the area but the Frenchman sees his first-time drive tipped onto the near post by Caballero.

54' - GOAL! United 1-0 City. Mata gives United the lead as he arrives on cue to slot home Zlatan's cutback. The Swede showed good strength to ghost into the left of the area and although Herrera went down as he looked to get on the end of the pass, Mata took full advantage of the space to score.

64' - MAN UNITED CHANCE! Zlatan should score. Rashford springs free on the left and curls a lovely pass into the Swede who takes his eye off it and somehow fails to connect eight yards out.

90+3' - MAN UNITED CHANCE! Pogba almost clear for a second but Caballero comes out of his area to make a fine challenge.

Only Wayne Rooney (58) has been involved in more goals for Man Utd than Juan Mata (29 goals, 18 assists) since his debut.

Ibrahimovic provided his first assist for Manchester United in his 14th game for the Red Devils.

Manchester City failed to have a shot on target in a game for the first time since April 2012 (vs Arsenal in the Premier League).