YOUNG: WE NEED TO WAKE UP

Veteran Manchester United fullback Ashley Young has admitted that the side deserved to lose in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday night.  The Red Devils lost via a penalty shootout to Derby County (admittedly after 15 consecutive penalties had been scored).

The loss adds to the pressure on Jose Mourinho, whose side were outplayed in the second half by the League One side, who have former Premier League star Frank Lampard as manager.

Mourinho coached Lampard for many years at Stamford Bridge. However upon retirement, Lampard concentrated on achieving his coaching badges, and was rewarded with the Derby job over the summer.  He returned to United as an apprentice to embarrass his master.

There is now intense pressure on the Manchester United team ahead of their trip to London to face West Ham United at the weekend. After back to back victories, Wolves played a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford last week, leaving United 8 points adrift of leaders Liverpool.

United started the season as third favourites, according to online bookies – But currently sit in 8th position, with coach Jose Mourinho now, and are the favourite on listed UK betting sites to be out of his managerial post first.

“We have to dust ourselves down now, pick ourselves back up and go again on Saturday,” Young said. The England international admitted that at 1-0 they had the chance to bury the game. However, the determined Derby side fought back to get the equalizer. Harry Wilson scored a sensational free kick to cancel out Juan Mata’s early goal.

The game changed when Sergio Romero was sent off for handling the ball outside the approved area. Derby continued probing and they got a late goal in the 85th minute, with VAR approving.

Marouane Fellaini, who had to come on from the bench, handed United a lifeline with a dramatic late header. Following the new League Cup rules for the 2018/19 season, it went straight to penalties. All 15 kicks went in before Phil Jones’ was saved by keeper Scott Carson to send Derby through.

Young, who skippered the side after Paul Pogba was stripped off his vice captaincy and was in the stands, said it was “tough” to play against lower division teams in the league cup, but that he was not sure the club did enough in regular time to win the game. He hopes the team can move on from the loss to the Championship side when they continue their Premier League campaign this weekend.

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