EFL Cup: Two goal Ibrahimovic helps United into last four

Jose Mourinho stayed out of sight as Manchester United swept into the EFL Cup semi-finals with a comfortable 4-1 win over West Ham.

Anthony Martial secured victory with two goals early in the second half after former United player Anthony Fletcher had cancelled out Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s early opener.

Ibrahimovic added gloss to the scoreline with his second of the night in injury time.

United manager Mourinho was not seen inside the arena after accepting a touchline ban earlier in the day for his sending-off during Sunday’s Premier League clash between the same two sides.

From wherever the Portuguese chose to watch, he will presumably have been pleased with his side’s high-energy and clinical performance.

The only disappointment for United fans was the failure of captain Wayne Rooney to score the goal that would have equalled Sir Bobby Charlton’s club record on his return to the starting line-up. That will now have to wait a little longer as a booking for dissent means Rooney will be suspended for this weekend’s trip to Everton.

The supporters did at least get to welcome Bastian Schweinsteiger back to the pitch after his long exile with a late substitute cameo.

United conceded after just 90 seconds against West Ham on Sunday but roles were reversed this time as the hosts made a blistering start and swept into a second-minute lead.

Rooney found Henrikh Mkhitaryan in space and the rejuvenated Armenian presented Ibrahimovic with an inviting opportunity with a neat back heel. The Swede showed great composure as he calmly dinked the ball over the advancing Adrian for his 10th United goal.

Ibrahimovic had another shot blocked by Winston Reid and two rapid United counter-attacks ended with Martial first being felled just outside the area and then blasting over.

The Hammers offered little until equalising against the run of play 10 minutes before the interval. David de Gea was at fault as he failed to hold a long-range Dimitri Payet strike and United academy product Fletcher snaffled his chance. The 21-year-old, who left the Red Devils in the summer, did not overdo his celebrations but punched the air in delight.

United picked their game up again after the break, reclaiming their lead after 48 minutes as Mkhitaryan squared for Martial to sweep home his first.

The Frenchman added another to make the game safe just after the hour, this time with a simple finish at the end of a slick move involving Ibrahimovic and Antonio Valencia.

Rooney had been influential throughout but at this point he noticeably moved up a gear as he chased his landmark goal.

He showed some of his aggression as he won possession and curled a shot wide. He suffered a cut cheek after being kicked in the face by Reid in another attack but that only seemed to fire him up more.

It was not to be for him on this occasion, however, with Ibrahimovic tapping home the fourth late on.