United knock City out of the EFL Cup
Juan Mata's strike knocks City out of the hotly-contested derby
The Reds reached the quarter-finals of the EFL Cup in a tight Manchester derby last night, leaving City fans feeling blue.
Juan Mata scored the only goal of the match pouncing on the ball, following a tussle between Herrera and Fernando, to slot away Zlatan Ibrahimovich’s low cross.
Mourinho, who was heavily criticised following Sunday's 4-0 hammering at Stamford Bridge, said: “I couldn't be prouder than I am to be Man Utd manager. The only way I know is to fight - to work and fight.”
“This is not the Champions League final, it is just the League Cup last 16, but it is against City and it is after a big defeat, so it was very important for us.”
The sides second meeting of the season came alive in the latter stages of the match with Pogba striking the post in the second-half.
City are the cup holders but following an indifferent couple of matches the Catalan made nine alterations to his side, who are now six games without a win, Guardiola’s worst run in his managerial career.
“Sometimes it happens in football the manager doesn't win. Sometimes you win, sometimes not,” said Guardiola.
“It is the first time (for me), okay, but hopefully it does not happen again in my career. We have had these six times but we are going to change it as soon as possible.”
The Blues best chance arrived in the early minutes of the match as Kelechi Iheanacho headed the ball over, six yards from the net. Raheem Sterling and Sergio Aguero were drafted on in the second-half but were unable to create any clear-cut chances.
The result was United’s second win in five matches, and Jose Mourinho's fourth win in eighteen matches against Guardiola.
United will now face West Ham at Old Trafford in EFL Cup quarter-final.