Bristol City 2-1 Manchester United - Player Ratings

Bristol City v Manchester United - Carabao Cup Quarter-Final
Smith volleyed past Romero to seal a historic night in Bristol City's history

Korey Smith's stoppage-time goal booked Bristol City a place in the semi-final of the Carabao Cup after their shock 2-1 victory over Manchester United.

The home side took the lead after a great run by Joe Bryan ended with a venomous strike past Sergio Romero in the United goal. But just seven minutes later, near the hour mark, Zlatan Ibrahimovic drove a powerful free-kick past Luke Steele to grab the Red Devils an equalizer.

As extra-time looked inevitable, Bristol City poured forward, and as substitute Matty Taylor chipped the ball in behind, Smith, on the turn, struck it past Romero to get the winner.

Here are the player ratings from yesterday's match:

Bristol City

Luke Steele – 7

Steele could have arguably done better as Ibrahimovic’s free-kick flew past him on his side, but he made up for it with plenty of other impressive stops to keep United from scoring again.

Bailey Wright – 7

Saw Martial drift past him a couple of times early but improved as the match went on. Martial grew quieter as the game went on as Wright put in a brilliant defensive shift.

Aden Flint – 7

The center back put in a fantastic performance, staying tight to Ibrahimovic and throwing his body on the line whenever necessary.

Bristol City v Manchester United - Carabao Cup Quarter-Final
Bristol City v Manchester United - Carabao Cup Quarter-Final

Nathan Baker – 7

Alongside flint the center back put in the performance of his life, not allowing United to score from open play.

Hordur Magnusson – 6

Magnusson didn’t break forward too much, but put in a very good defensive shift and kept Rashford very quiet before being taken off late in the game.

Josh Brownhill – 7

Brownhill tracked back brilliantly to help out his full-back Wright to keep Martial and Rashford quiet as they switched wings.

Marlon Pack – 8

The Championship midfielder put on an excellent show battling with Pogba in midfield, coming out on top numerous times. Then to top off an already great performance, his excellent pass set up a thunderous goal from Bryan.

Korey Smith – 9

Smith battled excellently with Pogba in midfield, working tirelessly to make sure he had very little time, along with McTominay, and he reaped the rewards in the final minute making an intelligent run in behind and volleying past Romero on the turn.

Joe Bryan – 10

Bryan was already having lots of joy against Darmian on the left-hand side before scoring the goal of his career. Receiving it from Pack in the box, he unleashed an excellent effort to beat Romero. Then, to keep his team in it at 1-1, he made a brilliant slide tackle to stop Rashford on the charge. It was a faultless performance from the left midfielder.

Bristol City v Manchester United - Carabao Cup Quarter-Final
Bristol City v Manchester United - Carabao Cup Quarter-Final

Jamie Paterson – 6

Paterson was one of Bristol’s worse performers on the night. He didn’t lack the effort but just wasn’t as involved as the other Bristol players.

Bobby Reid – 6

Reid was linking up excellently in the first half and giving the United defence some problems, but he faded later on in the game.

Substitutions:

Matty Taylor – 7

Off the bench, Taylor continued to put in Magnusson’s good work, and went one better, playing a great chipped ball to Smith for Bristol’s winner.

Niclas Eliasson – 6

Eliasson continued to put in a shift like Brownhill did, as United began to take control of the game.

Manchester United

Bristol City v Manchester United - Carabao Cup Quarter-Final
Bristol City v Manchester United - Carabao Cup Quarter-Final

Sergio Romero – 6

Romero looked shaky and put off by Bristol city players who kept getting in his way when trying to kick or throw the ball from his hands. But he eventually calmed down and unfortunately couldn’t do anything about either Bristol City goal.

Victor Lindelof – 7

Although on the surface it would seem the defense was to blame, Lindelof put in one of his best performances in a United shirt. He did everything right, passing out from the back well and defending well.

Bristol City v Manchester United - Carabao Cup Quarter-Final
Bristol City v Manchester United - Carabao Cup Quarter-Final

Marcos Rojo – 7

Like he has done quite occasionally for United in his most recent performances, Rojo defended well once again. He stayed tight to Reid and afforded him no space, making sure he was not going to be at fault for a Bristol goal.

Daley Blind – 7

Blind defended brilliantly on the left side of a back three and most notably made a magnificent last-ditch tackle from the Dutchman kept it at 0-0 just before half-time.

Mateo Darmian – 4

Darmian, like he was against Basel away, played horrendously once again. Bryan had so much joy against him down the left-hand side and it was mainly Bristol City who created their chances throughout the game.

Paul Pogba – 5

Having missed the last few games, Pogba looked slightly rusty and did not do to well under lots of pressure from the two Bristol midfielders. He got better as the game went on but he put in some reckless tackles and was eventually booked out of frustration, which you could see in his performance all night.

Bristol City v Manchester United - Carabao Cup Quarter-Final
Bristol City v Manchester United - Carabao Cup Quarter-Final

Scott McTominay – 5

McTominay looked calm and assured early in the game but struggled throughout the whole 90 minutes. He took a couple of wild shots at goal and looked to be the weak link in midfield, potentially due to some inexperience.

Luke Shaw – 6

Shaw got off to a poor start often tucking in too much and leaving space in behind, but grew into the game, defended well and offered an outlet going forward.

Anthony Martial – 5

Martial made a bright start and got the better of Wright at right-back more than once, but as the game dragged on the Frenchman struggled to get involved and faded.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic – 6

Ibrahimovic hit a volley which deflected onto the post early in the first half but was putting in a disastrous performance on his first start after his long-term injury. He eventually hit a free-kick past Steele in the Bristol City goal to grab United’s equalizer, but it was by no means a good performance.

Bristol City v Manchester United - Carabao Cup Quarter-Final
Bristol City v Manchester United - Carabao Cup Quarter-Final

Marcus Rashford – 5

Rashford was unlucky as he had an effort ricochet off the post on the 20th minute from outside the box after easily moving away from two Bristol City players. However, he failed to kick on from there and was eventually booked for a petulant tackle after having the ball taken off him by Bryan.

Substitutions:

Romelu Lukaku – 7

Lukaku was denied a goal on two occasions by Steele, firstly with a header and secondly with a low drive. He looked very positive off the bench and despite Ibrahimovic’s goal, he looked the much better striker on the night.

Henrikh Mkhitaryan – 6

Making his first appearance after an apparent disagreement with Mourinho after United played Brighton, Mkhitaryan looked bright and made a good impact from the bench despite a lack of match fitness.

Chris Smalling – N/A

The center back came on for a matter of seconds after Bristol City’s winner, meaning he played under a minute for United.

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Edited by Akhilesh Tirumala