United have already lost five times at home this season and have now been eliminated from cup competitions at Old Trafford twice in less than three weeks. PHOTO: AFP
Moyes was hoping to reach his first final as United manager, but after United beat Sunderland 2-1 at Old Trafford in Wednesday’s second-leg match to leave the aggregate score 3-3, the visitors prevailed 2-1 in a penalty shoot-out.
United were 1-0 up on the night and within touching distance of the final when goalkeeper David de Gea allowed a shot from Sunderland full-back Phil Bardsley to squirm past him and into the net in the penultimate minute of extra time.
Javier Hernandez scrambled an equaliser almost immediately in a stunning conclusion to the extra period, but United were eliminated when Vito Mannone parried Rafael da Silva’s penalty in the ensuing shoot-out.
Jonny Evans’s first-half header had levelled the tie, but United were unable to seize the momentum thereafter, with Sunderland, the Premier League’s second-bottom club, enjoying the majority of possession and matching United almost chance for chance.
“We didn’t play well enough. If we were (to go through), we were going to stumble over the line,” said Moyes.
“We had opportunities to score a second goal and put ourselves in a better position, but there is always going to be a loser in the semi-final and it was us.”
Meanwhile, Sunderland manager Gus Poyet revealed that Mannone had been serenaded on his return to the changing room after parrying two of United’s attempts at goal in the shoot-out.
“When Vito got into the dressing room, the whole squad and staff started singing his name and there is no better feeling for a football player,” said the Uruguayan.
United’s Mata bid accepted by Chelsea - report
United’s £37 million bid for playmaker Juan Mata has been accepted by Premier League rivals Chelsea, Britain’s Daily Telegraph newspaper reported on Wednesday.
The paper said Mata had agreed personal terms with the English champions and will undergo a medical on Thursday.
The Spain international has been linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge after struggling to cement a regular starting spot under manager Jose Mourinho.
The fee would break United’s transfer record paid for striker Dimitar Berbatov, who joined in 2008 from Tottenham Hotspur for £30.75 million.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 24th, 2014.
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