Manchester United's poor run of form came to an end on Wednesday evening as they returned to winning ways with a 3-1 victory over Northampton Town at Sixfields.
The Red Devils headed into the EFL Cup tie on the back of three-straight defeats in all competitions, but were good value for their lead which came via a well-struck Michael Carrick shot.
Alex Revell stunned the Premier League side by levelling from the spot shortly before half time, only for Ander Herrera and Marcus Rashford to find the net after the restart to make sure of the win for United.
Relive how the 90 minutes of action unfolded with Sports Mole's live text coverage below.
Hello and welcome to to Sports Mole's live text coverage of the EFL Cup third-round meeting between Northampton Town and Manchester United at Sixfields Stadium. The Red Devils have had a tough time of things of late, losing three games on the spin in all competitions to put some early-season pressure on new boss Jose Mourinho. The Portuguese has never previously lost four in a row before, but the home side will be desperate to pull off an almighty upset.
There has been plenty of talk of dressing room unrest at Old Trafford over the past few days - this coming just a couple of months into Mourinho's tenure at the club! A fourth defeat on the spin in all competitions, and an early exit from the League Cup for a third season in succession, does not really bode thinking about for United's tiny travelling band of supporters camped behind one of the goals inside Sixfields this evening.
TEAM NEWS!
NORTHAMPTON TOWN XI: Smith, Moloney, Buchanan, Diamond, Zakuani, Revell, Gorre, McCourt, Hoskins, Beautyman, Taylor
MANCHESTER UNITED XI: Romero, Fosu-Mensah, Smalling, Blind, Rojo, Schneiderlin, Carrick, Memphis, Herrera, Young, Rooney
Let us get straight into things by checking out some team news from Sixfields, then, which shows nine changes from last time out as far as the visitors are concerned. The big news is that, as far as I can tell, Wayne Rooney will start in the number nine role - back to his old position as an out-and-out striker for this evening's third-round test. At the other end of the field, there is a first appearance of the campaign for goalkeeper Sergio Romero, who comes in for the rested David de Gea.
Marcos Rojo and Daley Blind have both previously featured this term, but both were left out against Watford and will be looking to put in a decent showing tonight to earn a starting spot for the weekend clash with champions Leicester City. Dutch youngster Tim Fosu-Mensah earns his first appearance under Mourinho, while Smalling retains his place in the heart of defence to complete the back four. Michael Carrick comes in as expected to partner Morgan Schneiderlin in midfield, with Ashley Young and Memphis Depay selected on either flank.
Many have backed Carrick to partner club-record signing Paul Pogba in defensive midfield on a more regular basis, so this is an audition of sorters for the experienced Englishman to show Mourinho what he can bring to the table. Luke Shaw and Anthony Martial miss out on the squad with a groin and head injury respectively, so it is nine changes in all made by Mourinho from that disappointing 3-1 defeat at Vicarage Road just three days ago.
In terms of the home side, manager Rob Page has made two changes to his side from the defeat to Chesterfield at the weekend. In come Gabriel Zakuani and Sam Hoskins, with Lewin Nyatanga and Paul Anderson the men to make way. Anderson misses out due to being cup-tied, as he featured for Bradford City in an earlier round prior to joining Northampton in the summer transfer window.
Alex Revell is therefore handed a starting spot up top, looking to add to his four goals in 11 games since joining on a permanent deal from MK Dons in the summer. Revell, speaking in the build-up to tonight's match, made it clear that he wanted Mourinho to name his strongest possible XI for this clash at Sixfields. The former Cardiff City and Rotherham United striker has not quite go his wish, but this is still a strong United side even with the nine changes.
BENCH WATCH!
NORTHAMPTON TOWN SUBS: Cornell, Byrom, Richards, Potter, Sonupe, O'Toole, Nyatanga
MANCHESTER UNITED SUBS: Johnstone, Darmian, Fellaini, Lingard, Mata, Rashford, Ibrahimovic
A very strong bench named by Mourinho - a three-time winner of this competition - as he includes Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Marcus Rashford, Juan Mata and Marouane Fellaini among his subs, while Jese Lingard will also be desperate to get some further minutes under his belt after recently being criticised by his boss. Nyatanga will be disappointed to drop out of the starting lineup for the hosts, meanwhile, but Zakuani is now given a chance to himself impress.
Jose Mourinho has made nine changes to his Manchester United side in all from last weekend's 3-1 defeat to Watford. Wayne Rooney is one of two players to retain his place in the side, along with Chris Smalling, but he will be utilised in a more attacking position this evening as the lone striker. Rob Page makes two changes to his XI, meanwhile, with cup-tied winger Paul Anderson missing out and Lewin Nyatanga dropping to the bench.
Plenty of focus on the visitors this evening, of course, but this is also a huge night for Page's Northampton side. The Cobblers are currently 11th in the League One table at this early stage in proceedings, having drawn a large chunk of their early games. All five of their opening fixtures ending in stalemate, in fact, with that run followed up by successive home wins against MK Dons and Walsall.
There was real disappointment for the club a few days ago, however, as they slipped to a 3-1 defeat at Chesterfield to see their impressive 31-game unbeaten run in the league come to a close. It leaves them two points off the playoff zone, but also just three above the relegation zone with just eight games of the campaign played. Manager Page described tonight's game as a "reward" for his players for all of their hard work over the past 12 months, though that defeat would have been hard to take for the Welshman.
Northampton have already progressed through two round to make it this far in the competition, seeing off Premier League opponents in the last round to send out a little warning message to tonight's opponents. West Brom were held to a 2-2 draw, thanks to a late Revell goal, before falling to defeat on penalties in what was arguably the big shock of the round. This is another step up in quality entirely, though, even with United much changed from their last outing three days ago.
DID YOU KNOW? The last time Northampton Town competed at this stage of the League Cup, back in 2010, they overcome Liverpool on penalties at Anfield following a 2-2 draw. The omens do not look great for Manchester United in terms of recent years, meanwhile, as they have suffered defeat to lower league opponents - MK Dons and Middlesbrough - in the last two seasons.
That defeat to Boro was tough for boss Louis van Gaal last season, yet it was the 4-0 thrashing against MK Dons the season prior that many will still remember. The Red Devils, much like at this present time, were struggling for form and they were to be handed the biggest humiliation of all at the hands of League One opposition. If that does not provide a firm warning of what could possibly happen this evening for Mourinho & Co. then nothing quite will.
After such a positive start for the Red Devils, when their opening three games in the Premier League and also seeing off Leicester City in the Community Shield, things have slowly gone from bad to worse for the club. In the space of just over a week, United succumbed to Manchester City, Feyenoord and Watford to see their campaign slowly derail. The good news is that there are still eight months to go, however, and Mourinho will be confident of turning his side's campaign back around in that time.
After wins over Bournemouth, Southampton and Hull City, with the latter arriving late on in a game United dominated in terms of key chances, they headed into the recent Manchester derby in confident spirits. The scoreline in that one did not tell the whole story as, while there was only the one goal in it, City completely dominated their opponents in the opening 40 minutes are really should have go into the interval a few goals to the good. That was bad, but defeats to Feyenoord and Watford would soon follow in quick succession.
Reports in the press over the past few days suggest that already, even just two months into the Mourinho tenure, cracks are beginning to form and some players are already unhappy. Luke Shaw is said to have been left upset by his treatment on Sunday, having been accused of making life too easy for Watford in the build-up to their vital goal, while Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Jesse Lingard have also been named and shamed.
It does not look great for Jose Mourinho at this stage, it is fair to say, particularly with ex-players and pundits also accusing the Portuguese of 'losing the plot'. Mourinho has never actually lost four games in a row during his 16 years in management, which the bookies expect to remain the case for the time being - United being named as strong favourites to pick up a convincing win at Sixfields tonight.
Mourinho has also previously won seven of his eight League Cup ties as a manager, all coming during his spells at Stamford Bridge, with the only blemish during that run being a draw. The former Real Madrid and Inter Milan boss really does have a serious question to answer over the coming days, though - just what is United's best formation? To answer that, you surely have to take both Pogba and Rooney into consideration - two players at contrasting stages in their careers.
Rooney, in the view of many, is a spent force. In fact, 99% of supporters polled in a popular United fanzine felt that the skipper should be dropped for the upcoming game against Leicester. He is ponderous in possession and unable to link play in the manner that others are capable of, which is all the more difficult to accept when he is fielded in arguably the most important position in this side directly behind the lone striker.
Pogba, on the other hand, is young and determined; a player who has what it takes to adapt to the Premier League despite a rather shaky start on his return to the United fold. To get the best out of the Frenchman a 4-3-3 is surely needed, meaning no place for Rooney, but the United skipper does have a chance to show tonight that maybe, just maybe, he can still thrive as a striker. It may sound a tad dramatic in what is, it must be remembered, a third round cup tie, but this may well be a final chance for Rooney to prove that he is worthy of a starting spot in this star-studded side.
With Leicester City and Stoke City to come in the league, as well as minnows Luhansk in the Europa League prior to the international break - all of which are to be staged at Old Trafford - Mourinho still has, with tonight's game in mind, four more chances to get things right. Head into that international break without maximum points in the league, though, and serious questions will start to be asked of the self-proclaimed Special One.
PREVIOUS MEETINGS! Northampton have never beaten United in their four previous meetings. Two of those came in the mid-60s, when drawing 1-1 and losing 6-2, while also shipping eight goals in a 1970 FA Cup tie. The last encounter also came in cup competition, as the Red Devils claimed another straightforward 3-0 victory over their lower-league opponents in 2000.
With exactly 10 minutes to go until kickoff at Sixfields Stadium, let us now check out some pre-match views from both camps.
Rob Page: "We were disappointed with our performance on Saturday and we know there is room for improvement. We've worked hard on the training ground and we want to get back to the levels we were at before the Chesterfield game. Hopefully we will do that on Wednesday night and we are going to go out and give it our best. We've earned the right to be here and we are going to approach it positively and do our best to get a result."
Jose Mourinho: "We started the season very well and had good results. I feel the first moment we had a defeat, a difficult situation, some of the boys are having a bit of difficulty coping with the negativity. You see Ashley Young, his mentality the happiness and confidence he brought to the game is something more players need to have."
Contrasting thoughts from the two managers there in many ways, as Page is determined to get his players focused on the task at hand following defeat last time out, while Mourinho is keen to mention that some of his players are "having a bit of difficulty coping with the negativity". The only way they can get out of this rut is to pick up a victory this evening - ideally by a comfortably margin, but I am sure Mourinho will settle for a 1-0 win if needs be.
We have already seen Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal progress through to round four in terms of the Premier League big boys, while United, rivals City and Tottenham Hotspur are all to play tonight. There will be extra time and penalties if required to determine the winner, with no replays in this competition. The Red Devils have never previously lost to Northampton but, on this current losing run, anything is possible!
PREDICTION! Mourinho has just been speaking to Sky Sports News, where he was quick to point out the recent winning run Northampton had been of up until that defeat to Chesterfield. They certainly boast a strong team spirit and, as witnessed over the first five games of the season, are incredibly hard to beat. It is hard to see anything other than a victory for the Red Devils here tonight, though, so I am going to back a 2-0 away win.
Both sets of players have just made their way down the Sixfields tunnel and out on to the field of play. Man United desperate to return to winning ways this evening by any means possible, while Northampton will sense a major scalp - six years after beating Liverpool in their last appearance at this stage.
KICKOFF! Manchester United, with 418 international caps among their ranks, get us underway at Sixfields Stadium against a Northampton Town side that cost just £100,000 to put together - all of that going on just one player! It is a mismatch on the face of it, but that means nothing in the cup.
SAVE! A huge night ahead for Rooney, who gets a shot away on goal just two minutes in. Carrick picked out Depay with a superb ball from deep, with the winger laying off his teammate inside the box for a strike that Smith easily kept out down the middle.
Another shot from Rooney, with this latest attempt deflecting over for a corner which comes to nothing. Gorre looks to quickly counter, only to be shoved over when on the attack down the left-hand flank. The visitors just about on top early on.
CHANCE! A huge chance goes begging for Rooney, who is not going the right way about impressing his manager in these early stages. Depay initially turned Moloney inside out on the left, before sending a ball into the box which was laid off for Carrick to hit. The ball deflected to Young, who in turn squared for Rooney just a few yards out, only for his shot to miss the target entirely.
Town yet to really get out of the blocks, being forced to defend a few United attacks. No denying that the Rooney chance a few minutes ago was the best moment of the match so far, but the Englishman - who looked around perhaps hoping for the offside flag - was unable to convert.
A roar goes up around Sixfields as Northampton win a free kick, which is going straight into the mixer with the two centre-backs up. The delivery is rather poor, but Town come forward again and win themselves a corner kick. Taylor's cross is better but headed away.
A terrible pass from the experienced Matty Taylor is pounced on by Fosu-Mensah who would have slipped Rooney through on goal if not for Diamond's timely interception. The visitors really on top at the moment, but unable to really test Smith since that Rooney shot two minutes in.
Nice build-up play from United once again, with Depay heavily involved in things to help play Rojo into some space down the left. The full-back's cross is near enough perfect, sent in between defence and keeper, but Rooney could not quite get to the ball.
Now then. One of those rare occurrences as a pass back to the keeper is collected by Smith, meaning an indirect free kick is awarded just 15 yards out. Rooney is the man stood above the ball, but will he blast it towards the net or instead try something a little smarter?
GOAL! NORTHAMPTON TOWN 0-1 MANCHESTER UNITED (MICHAEL CARRICK)
Rooney does indeed take on the free kick inside the box, awarded after Smith collected a back-pass, but the wall does its job. The problem comes moments later as, with all the defenders occupied in the huge wall a few yards out, Carrick is left with a free shot on the edge of the box which is superbly fires home.
A deserved goal for United, that, on the balance of the opening quarter of the match. Carrick has been just about the game's best player, too, so Northampton can have little complaints. That said, what a hugely disappointing manner to concede the opener!
Northampton put together their first real attack in the aftermath of United's opener, which culminated in a cross being sent in for Romero to punch well clear. The hosts not truly settled so far, though, which is making life a little easier for Mourinho and his men.
Northampton, who have scored from corners in each of their previous two ties, fail with this latest set-piece attempt as an acrobatic effort ends high over the bar. Town showing signs that they are not willing to sit back for too much longer.
Some decent football being played by United at the moment, with Schneiderlin and Carrick being given plenty of time to dictate things deep in midfield. Mourinho will be after that second goal before half time, with this match in the balance as long as it remains at 1-0.
A real quiet period in the game since United took the lead. The Cobblers still not really showing too much attacking intent, which is a tad disappointing, but Page will be looking to keep things tight heading into half time.
DISALLOWED GOAL! Some more good play from United almost results in a second goal of the night, as Fosu-Mensah superbly meets the ball at the back post, only to see his header crash back off the crossbar. Rooney is there for the simplest of tap-ins, but his celebration is cut short with the offside flag raised.
Will Town use that let-off as a wake-up call? United have been by far the better team, which is not all that surprising - they are among the Premier League favourites, after all - but the Cobblers have not really given this shaky Red Devils side much to worry about at the back.
Ten minutes from half time and still United are very comfortable. The one criticism is that Smith has only been tested once, not including the Carrick belter which was never going to be stopped no matter who was in goal.
OFF THE BAR! Well from pretty much nothing, Gorre works a yard of space and is able to fire away Northampton's first real shot of the night. The United academy product saw his shot take a little touch off Romero on its way through, helping it on to the bar and out for a corner.
The corner yet again goes deep, where Diamond is waiting to head on to the roof of the net. This is League one side Town's best spell of the match, coming deep in a half that United have otherwise dominated.
PENALTY TO NORTHAMPTON TOWN! Well I said this has been Northampton's best spell of the match, and they could well make it count as they have been awarded a penalty. Hoskins was brought down by Blind inside the box, and now Revell is to step up from the spot.
GOAL! NORTHAMPTON TOWN 1-1 MANCHESTER UNITED (ALEX REVELL, PEN)
Revell sends Romero the wrong way for his fifth goals in 12 outings this season. It is not exactly deserved on the half as a whole, but Northampton have been much improved over the past 10 minutes or so and made their spell of pressure count.
A long ball over the top is just about collected by Romero, who took out Taylor in the process. Town going for those long balls quite often now, sensing more than a few nerves in the visitors' backline. Up the other end, Smith gets to a through-ball ahead of Rooney.
HALF TIME: NORTHAMPTON TOWN 1-1 MANCHESTER UNITED
So we go into the break all square, then, thanks to Alex Revell's penalty late in the first half. Michael Carrick had earlier fired the visitors ahead with a well-taken strike, but the Red Devils were unable to make their strong hold of possession count and were made to pay from the penalty spot.
On what was always going to be a big night for skipper Wayne Rooney, fielded in his old position as the out-and-out striker, it took just two minutes for the skipper to send a shot down the middle for Adam Smith to keep out. The Englishman, one of just two players to retain his place in the side along with Chris Smalling, saw an even bigger chance come and go soon after when turning Ashley Young's cross wide of the target from a few yards out.
It was Michael Carrick who was pulling the strings for United on his first competitive start under Jose Mourinho, and he was rewarded with a goal 17 minutes in after an indirect free kick 15 yards out ended in his path on the edge of the box. Northampton's players were unable to push out after forming a big wall to keep out Rooney's initial attempt, leaving Carrick with an opportunity to fire the ball home which he duly took.
The visitors were continuing to dominate things in terms of possession, even coming close to a second when Rooney tapped home after seeing Timothy Fosu-Mensa's back-post header come off the bar, only for the offside flag to go up. Town had struggled to really get going for large parts of the first half, but they grew more and more into things and almost levelled up as only a Sergio Romero touch on Kenji Gorre's shot prevented the former United prospect from finding the net, with the ball skimming the bar on its way over.
Northampton did find a way through prior to the interval, however, as Alex Revell was able to convert from the penalty spot after Daley Blind brought down Sam Hoskins inside the box from a rare home attack. So all square at the break, but will we see any changes at the break?
NORTHAMPTON TOWN SUBS: Cornell, Byrom, Richards, Potter, Sonupe, O'Toole, Nyatanga
MANCHESTER UNITED SUBS: Johnstone, Darmian, Fellaini, Lingard, Mata, Rashford, Ibrahimovic
RESTART! We are back under way at Sixfields Stadium. Neither manager made a change at the break, but Mourinho will no doubt have his eye on the clock as this second half progresses. Plenty of options for the Portuguese to choose from.
YELLOW CARD! A real nasty challenge from Jak McCourt on Depay ends with the referee reaching for a yellow, but that could well have been - and probably should have been - a red card for the Northampton man. A real silly tackle from behind.
Extra time and penalties a possibility tonight, remember, but Mourinho will not want to see this game go beyond the initial 90 minutes. Ibrahimovic is warming up already, so we could well see him prior to the hour mark if it remains the same.
United have started this second half brightly, seeing one shot easily dealt with by Smith and another blocked well by Moloney inside the box. A deep cross is not dealt with by Smith, and the Cobblers are happy to just concede a corner kick.
SUBS! United see a weak penalty appeal turned down, which acts as a cue for both managers to make changes. Last year's Player of the Year is on for Northampton, as O'Toole is introduced. Ibrahimovic and Rashford also on for Fosu-Mensah and Depay.
The Red Devils started this half on top, but they have faded over the past five minutes or so. That will suit Northampton well as they look to just sit off and perhaps force extra time, or even perhaps nick it inside 90 minutes.
OFF THE POST! Ibrahimovic and Rashford both on the pitch, then, joining the now-deeper Rooney, but so far they have not really been given a chance to get into the game. Instead it is Herrera who looks to make something happen, sending a shot back off the post from 20 yards out.
Gorre with a nasty challenge on Young, which leaves the United winger down on the ground. He should be OK to continue, but that has eaten up some more valuable minutes for the visitors with just half-hour now left to play at Sixfields.
A cross into the box is palmed away by Smith, who was a little worried by the presence of Ibrahimovic alongside him. United probing well at the moment, but the closest the have come to a second came via that Herrera shot from range.
NORTHAMPTON TOWN SUB! Former Man United academy product Kenji Gorre is replaced by Alfie Potter - Northampton's second alteration of the night. One change apiece remaining for both managers, then, but they may keep their cards close to their chests with extra time a possibility.
Momentum proving very tough to come by for the Red Devils still, as they struggle to put together any real attacking moves. Nothing to really threaten the Northampton backline, but that could change with Fellaini now being summoned.
GOAL! NORTHAMPTON TOWN 1-2 MANCHESTER UNITED (ANDER HERRERA)
Northampton, with a player down following a challenge from Schneiderlin, are punished for their failure to push up as Rashford lays off Herrera to blast home a second goal for his side. It was a well-taken strike from the Spaniard, just 10 minutes after hitting the post from a similar range.
Fellaini was just about to come on before that Herrera goal, but he is now back on the bench for the time being. Town will be forced to come at their opponents a little more now, with 20 minutes to go and a goal required.
NORTHAMPTON TOWN SUB! Marc Richards is one for Jak McCourt, meaning two men up top for the hosts as the replacement forward links up with goalscorer Revell in attack. Page urging his players on now, knowing that it is do-or-die time.
YELLOW CARD! Daley Blind clatters into Hoskins to earn himself a yellow card. More importantly, Town are given a chance to send a free kick into the box, which again goes deep but is fairly easily dealt with in the end.
GOAL! NORTHAMPTON TOWN 1-3 MANCHESTER UNITED (MARCUS RASHFORD)
Another game, another goal for Marcus Rashford. The youngster chases down a long ball over the top, which Smith horribly scuffs when trying to clear to give Rashford the simplest of tap-ins from right on the goal line. A real howler from the hosts' keeper to wrap up the win.
Smalling defends Taylor's cross - a vital interception from the experienced defender with a couple of Northampton players lurking inside the box. A goal for the hosts will make things interesting, but time really is running out now.
Mourinho had decided against using that third change as we enter the final 10 minutes. Fellaini was ready to come on, but Rashford's goal changed the plan and it may now be a case of bringing on a more defensive-minded player.
A positive run from Hoskins, but he miscues his shot wide of the target when working his way into the box. No real shame for Page and his players as things stand, yet he must have sensed an upset when drawing level at 1-1.
Just five minutes of normal time now left to play at Sixfields Stadium, and it is looking increasingly likely to United will progress through rather comfortably in the end. It was not always that way, as they were forced to bring on a couple of their big boys prior to the hour mark.
YELLOW CARD! Needless challenge from Alfie Potter sees the substitute earn himself a yellow card. That can be put down to pure frustration, as the visitors continue to see through these remaining minutes with complete ease.
Word is that three minutes of added time are to be added on at the end of this match. Mourinho may have learned one thing in particular this evening - Carrick is still a very good player and more than capable of filling in alongside Paul Pogba.
No fourth defeat on the spin for the first time in Mourinho's managerial history, then, with just two minutes or so of this match left to go. Rashford goes in search of a fourth goal of the evening, and a second of his own, but there is not way through.
FULL TIME: NORTHAMPTON TOWN 1-3 MANCHESTER UNITED
Referee Stuart Attwell brings the game to a close, and it was rather comfortable in the end for Manchester United. It was not always that way, though, as Northampton Town levelled things up prior to the midway point and restricted their opponents in the opening stages of the second half. Ander Herrera and Marcus Rashford ensured that the Red Devils' name will be in the hat for the fourth-round draw, which takes place in the next 20 minutes or so.
That concludes Sports Mole's live text coverage of events at Sixfields Stadium, but be sure to stick around for plenty of reaction from this EFL Cup tie. The fourth-round draw is also due to take place shortly, and we will provide news of the draw in full once the final ball has been pulled from the proverbial hat. Thanks for joining!
