Manchester United endure nightmare first half as Man City lead 3-0 at Old Trafford

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Tom Doyle7 January 2020

Manchester United fans were given a brutal reminder of how far the club have fallen as Manchester City raced into a 3-0 lead by half-time of the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final.

United headed into the first leg confident of causing Man City problems having beaten Pep Guardiola's side 2-1 at the Etihad in the Premier League back in November, and started brightly.

However, that early optimism was short-lived as City all but ended the semi-final tie as a contest by half-time, scoring three goals without reply and missing a couple more gilt-edged chances.

In fairness to United, the first goal was of world-class quality: Bernardo Silva cut inside on his left foot and curled the ball past David de Gea into the top corner from 30 yards - though the goalkeeper may ask his defence why the City playmaker was not closed down.

Getty Images

City had taken the lead after 17 minutes, and that goal seemed to suck the belief out of United as the visitors doubled their lead just after the half-hour mark.

A great ball from Bernardo found Riyad Mahrez, who rounded goalkeeper De Gea and rolled the ball into an empty net as the absence of Harry Maguire - out injured - was keenly felt, with Phil Jones looking all at sea at centre-back.

REUTERS

City extended their lead seven minutes before the break on the counter attack as Andreas Pereira tapped the ball into his own net on the rebound after De Gea saved from Kevin De Bruyne.

Standard Sport's Manchester football correspondent James Robson said of the action: "This match is over. This tie is over. The best United can hope for is to avoid a complete and utter humiliation."

Follow the second half LIVE at Old Trafford.

Additional reporting by PA.

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