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Player Ratings: Bristol City 2-1 Man Utd

Manchester United have been eliminated from this season’s EFL Cup to a goal in the final minute at Bristol City this evening.

The hosts took the lead five minutes into the second half before Zlatan Ibrahimovic smashed home a free kick just before the hour.

Korey Smith scored the winner in the 93rd minute after Romelu Lukaku, Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial had all been playing up front together for the final half hour.

Here’s how our players fared:

Sergio Romero 5

Turned a stinging shot from Hordur Bjorgvin Magnusson around the post in the first half.  Had no chance with Joe Bryan’s cracking opener.  Fortunate not to gift Aden Flint his seventh goal of the season when completely missing a cross into the box.  Not much chance with Bristol City’s winner.

Matteo Darmian 4

Caught out of position for Bristol City’s opening goal.  Beaten too easily inside the penalty area to allow Jamie Paterson a great opportunity in the final 15 minutes which fortunately the Bristol City midfielder fired over.  Paterson had the beating of Matteo Darmian all night when he ran at him.  Fingers crossed Antonio Valencia is fit to face Leicester City on Saturday.

Victor Lindelof 7

Beaten by the run of Korey Smith for Bristol City’s dramatic late winner.  Had been solid until that point, both in terms of his position and bringing the ball forward.

Marcos Rojo 6

Caught ball watching and couldn’t get back in time to deny Joe Bryan the strike on goal that opened the scoring.  Marcos Rojo was not too comfortable with Bristol City’s high press either.

Luke Shaw 7

Steady game at left-back even when Bristol City were doubling up on him.  Neither of Bristol City’s goals came from Luke Shaw’s side.

Scott McTominay 7

Solid game in the middle of the park, Scott McTominay won his aerial battles, won the ball back on a few occasions, and won several free kicks.  The youngster wasn’t accurate with any of his three efforts on goal and did concede possession one too many times but otherwise looks very promising.

Daley Blind 6

Made a goal-saving challenge around the penalty spot just before half-time.  Daley Blind got on the ball a fair bit in his central midfield role but did concede possession more often than Nemanja Matic usually does and conceded a few fouls. Replaced on the hour by Romelu Lukaku.

Marcus Rashford 7

Cracking strike from 25 yards that was unfortunate to come out off the foot of the post.  Made some nice passes in the final third but didn’t get in any great goalscoring positions inside the penalty area himself.

Paul Pogba 8

Found it difficult early on on the dry pitch, man marked by Marlon Pack.  Fortunate not to be sent off for missing Pack’s knee by centimetres with a high attempted challenge in the first half.  Paul Pogba was busy in midfield, winning the ball and driving forward for us.  Won the free kick from which Ibrahimovic smashed home our equaliser.  Beautiful cross to set up a headed chance for Lukaku 15 minutes from time.  A bad second touch denied the French international a one-on-one in the final 10 minutes.

Anthony Martial 5

Excellent cross for Ibrahimovic that led to the Swede hitting the post early on.  Failed to get the ball out from under his feet for a good chance inside the penalty area midway through the second half.  Some poor touches in an overall frustrating game for Anthony Martial.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic 7

Unlucky in striking the inside of the post.  Zlatan Ibrahimovic did waste a great opportunity to create a chance after Marcus Rashford had hit the post by holding the ball up.  Struck a cracking free kick to equalise seven minutes after going behind in his first start in eight months.  A couple of poor first touches but largely a decent performance.  Lasted 67 minutes.

Substitutes

Romelu Lukaku (30 mins) 8 – Substitute Romelu Lukaku looked keen to get on the scoresheet this evening.  Forced one comfortable save out of Luke Steele when he drove at the box and shot from 18 yards.  Five minutes later produced a fine save out of the goalkeeper with a good header and later an excellent save from a low drive.  Made some good runs off the ball and linked up well with Henrikh Mkhitaryan and co.

Henrikh Mkhitaryan (23 mins) – Wasted a good opportunity to slide Marcus Rashford in one-on-one in the final 20 minutes.  Did go on to create a couple of chances and saw both of his own efforts on goal blocked.

Chris Smalling (0 mins) N/A – Came on in the 95th minute after we’d conceded as a target man up front in the dying seconds.