Juan Mata’s Goal Helps Manchester United Beat Manchester City 1-0

Coming three days after a 4-0 loss to Chelsea in the Premier League, this was an important victory for United.

Manchester United beat Manchester City 1-0. (Photo: AP)

Jose Mourinho got his revenge on great managerial rival Pep Guardiola as Manchester United beat a weakened Manchester City 1-0 in the fourth round of the English League Cup on Wednesday, with Juan Mata scoring the second-half winner.

Six weeks after City's 2-1 win at Old Trafford in the Premier League, Mourinho's decision to play a virtually full-strength team paid off.

Mata sidefooted home a low shot from 10 metres in the 54th minute following a lay-off by Zlatan Ibrahimovic, ensuring City is now winless in six games under Guardiola — the worst run of the Spaniard's distinguished coaching career.

Mata sidefooted home a low shot from 10 metres in the 54th minute following a lay-off by Zlatan Ibrahimovic. (Photo: AP)

Guardiola rested most of his key players — starting 19-year-olds Aleix Garcia and Pablo Maffeo among his fringe players — and City faded after a decent start, failing to have a shot on target in an error-strewn match.

It was Mourinho's fourth win in 18 meetings with Guardiola and an important victory psychologically for United, coming three days after a 4-0 loss to Chelsea in the Premier League — Mourinho's heaviest loss in English football.

It was a big defeat and numbers that the history of this club does not deserve. We had to give something back.

Jose Mourinho

United’s Jose Mourinho got his revenge on great managerial rival Pep Guardiola. (Photo: AP)

The titleholders are out of the competition — although Guardiola said the League Cup was the least of his priorities this season and that was reflected in his starting lineup. Vincent Kompany, City's injury-prone captain, started for the second straight game but was substituted at halftime.

In the other games on Wednesday, West Ham beat Chelsea 2-1. Cheikhou Kouyate headed in Mark Noble's cross in the 11th minute and Edimilson Fernandes added a second in the 48th to see off a weakened Chelsea lineup. Gary Cahill scored a late consolation goal for the visitors.

Sofiane Boufal scored the only goal in Southampton’s 1-0 win over Sunderland.

Also Read: Here’s What Jose Mourinho Said After Man U Got Thrashed by Chelsea

(This copy has been edited for length.)