Mata And Pogba Strikes As Manchester United Reach Carabao Cup Quarters

Juan Mata inspired Manchester United to a 3-0 win over Brighton to book their place in the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup, four days after controversially beating the Seagulls in the Premier League.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer made 10 changes to the side that snatched a 3-2 win on Saturday, including starting summer signing Donny van der Beek, but saw most of his players fail to impress.

Brighton, who made nine changes to their starting line-up, carved out the better opportunities in the first half with Alireza Jahanbakhsh and Alexis Mac Allister going close.

But it was the visitors who took the lead on the stoke of half-time with Mata's brilliant free-kick headed in by an unmarked Scott McTominay.

Neal Maupay and Leandro Trossard came on at the start of the second half and the home side enjoyed more possession while United's midfielders sat too deep with little service to Igahlo and Daniel James failing to get into the game.

The visitors had Dean Henderson to thank for making a fine save from Trossard's effort. And against the run of play, United doubled their lead when Mata scored with a cool low finish from van de Beek's deft backheel.

Solskjaer's side scored a third late on when substitute Paul Pogba's free-kick took a deflection off the wall and flew in to cap off a clinical performance.