Manchester United vs Burton Albion. Carabao Cup Round 3.
Old TraffordAttendance54,256.
Thursday 21 September 2017 08:59, UK
Marcus Rashford scored two and set up another as Manchester United cruised into the Carabao Cup quarter-finals with a 4-1 victory over Burton at Old Trafford.
Rashford was in the mood from the first whistle, finishing off the holders' first attack with a delicate chip on five minutes before doubling his tally 12 minutes later with a fierce 20-yard drive.
Jesse Lingard's deflected effort on 36 minutes underlined United's dominance at the interval before Anthony Martial capped a fine individual display with their fourth on the hour.
Lloyd Dyer grabbed a consolation for Burton in stoppage time as United conceded at home for the first time this season, but the night belonged to the hosts, who kicked their Carabao Cup defence off in style.
There were just five minutes on the clock when United took the lead, Lingard flicking Michael Carrick's pass into the path of Rashford, who notched his fourth goal of the season.
One became two 12 minutes later as Rashford swivelled on a pass from Daley Blind and lashed an unstoppable drive beyond Burton goalkeeper Connor Ripley.
Joe Mason's tame chip was comfortably saved by Sergio Romero on 26 minutes, and United almost punished Burton immediately as Juan Mata struck the post.
A mazy Martial run then set up Lingard for United's third, as his low effort deflected off Ben Turner on its way past Ripley.
After United brought on Luke Shaw at half-time for his first appearance since April 30, Hope Akpan headed a glorious chance wide within a minute of the restart as Burton failed to take their chances.
Martial finally got in on the act on 60 minutes, slotting Rashford's pass beyond Ripley at his near post before Dyer become the first away player to score at Old Trafford this term at the death.
Jose Mourinho: "Martial was good, Mata was good, Lingard was good. Everybody in attacking areas gave a good dynamic to the team and especially happiness. We look happy playing football in this moment and that's what I want."
Nigel Clough: "It was just lovely for our supporters to get a goal. Most of them will never have dreamt that Burton Albion would ever score at Old Trafford. We've played here twice in 11 years and we've actually scored a goal now. It was an open game at times which might not necessarily suit us, but we tried to be positive."
United look to extend their unbeaten start to the season when they travel to Southampton in the Premier League on Saturday, while Burton head to Loftus Road to take on Queens Park Rangers in the Sky Bet Championship.