Tigers Mauled By Red Devils

Manchester Unted beat Premier League strugglers 2-0 in the first League Cup semi final at Old Trafford winning the game 2-0 with goals from Juan Mata and Marouane Fellani.

After edging out the Tigers with a win they will travel to Hull later this month for the second leg but unless something dramatic happens it is almost a foregone conclusion that United will be in the final at Wembley in the Spring

The second goal from Fellaini with a looping header was a bit harsh on Hull who to be fair had defended well for large parts of this match. If they had retreated home with just a 1-0 defeat then Hull had every chance of giving United a run for their money. Instead their backs will be against the wall and it will be tough, very tough in a fortnight’s time.

The Red Devils patiently attacked the deep Tigers defensive line and finally forced the breakthrough when Juan Mata tapped in Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s header in the 56th minute.

Belgium midfielder Fellaini has long been a divisive figure at Old Trafford and has even been jeered by pockets of home fans recently. However, Fellaini has been continually backed by Mourinho and ended Tuesday’s first-leg encounter with the Stretford End chanting his name after he nodded home a late goal to add to Juan Mata’s close-range opener.

Hull were forced to play two midfielders in defence due to injury problems that worsened as Markus Henriksen and Josh Tymon were forced off in their first ever League Cup semi-final appearance.

Hull, bottom of the Premier League, equipped themselves well for the most part and it looked like Marco Silva’s men would restrict United to Mata’s 56th-minute goal, which came shortly after Wayne Rooney had passed up a fine chance to notch a record 250th goal for the club.

The energetic Paul Pogba hit the post as the Tigers dug deep, before substitute Fellaini rose at the far post to send United on their way.

This wrapped wrapped up a ninth successive win in all competitions for in-form United and Mourinho will once again be pleased with the character and patience his team showed. Mourinho has already succeeded where Louis Van Gaal and David Moyes before him failed by making the United team believe in themselves. The confidence has returned after a 3 year wait and it remains to be seen if Mourinho can add any silverware this season to his long list of achievements.

“Main photo: Alicia Chelini / Shutterstock, Inc.”

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