FIVE Things We Learned From Manchester United’s League Cup Exit To Sunderland

After Sunderland beat Manchester United on penalties to reach the League Cup final, here are five things that we learned from the game.

1) Pressure on Moyes

David Moyes needed a win tonight, which I suppose he did get, but the failure to progress to the final will only pile the pressure onto the former Everton boss’ shoulders. Now out of the League Cup and virtually out of the running in the Premier League, Moyes needs to plan carefully to get the most of the rest of the season.

2) Smalling and Evans solid partnership

With Smalling playing most of the season at right-back, some thought the defensive pairing of he and Evans could take some work to get right. With Evans a combative player and Smalling a ball-playing outlet though it worked nicely, and they kept a clean sheet for 119 of the 120 minutes.

3) Poyet making an impact

Since arriving the Uruguayan has made a real impact at Sunderland, turning round their form, changing the style of play and getting them to their first cup final in 22 years.

4) Creativity needed at Old Trafford

Without Adnan Januzaj tonight, United would not have created anything. There is an evident lack of inventiveness in the United side, though that could be filled by the arrival of Juan Mata.

5) Former United players come back to haunt

In the Sunderland side that surpassed United, Phil Bardsley, John O’Shea and Wes Brown used to play for the club. That’s three quarters of the Sunderland back four.