Five things we learnt from Northampton 1 Manchester United 3 – Wayne Rooney has to be dropped and Michael Carrick has to start
SunSport runs the rule over the Red Devils as Jose Mourinho's men get back to winning ways after three straight defeats
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MANCHESTER UNITED ended a run of three straight defeats as Jose Mourinho's men secured a vital EFL Cup win over League One Northampton.
Michael Carrick opened the scoring for United before the Cobblers hit back to level the scores through Alex Revell's penalty late in the first half.
But Ander Herrera restored United's lead with a fierce low drive before Marcus Rashford sealed the win as he made the most of a mistake from Northampton keeper Alex Smith.
SunSport brings you five things we learnt from the much needed win.
Wayne Rooney failed his striking audition.....
After a woeful midfield performance against Watford, Rooney was given the chance to prove he can still be a success as a central striker - but he failed miserably.
Things started well enough, finding space for himself to fire in a shot after just 90 seconds, but any hopes of that inspiring a great performance were soon dashed just four minutes later.
Ashley Young picked him out with a pass and Rooney, six yards out and with the goal at his mercy just needed to apply the finishing touch. Instead, he completely missed his kick.
As the half wore on he dropped deeper and deeper, and looked short of pace and energy. So much so, Jose Mourinho had no choice but to bring on Zlatan Ibrahimovic up top because Rooney couldn't be relied upon to stay in his position.
If he can't do it against Northampton Town, how can he do it against the Premier League champions?
Time for Mourinho to make the big call.
Michael Carrick has to play against Leicester......
The game may only have been 17 minutes old when Carrick opened the scoring, but there was already plenty of evidence before then to suggest he should be in Jose Mourinho's starting line-up.
There have long been doubts over his mental toughness, but ability wise there are few better in his position anywhere in the Premier League - and certainly not at Old Trafford.
United have looked unbalanced in midfield and pedestrian in possession. Carrick solves that problem with ease with his style of play, passing and vision.
Marouane Fellaini may be better as a set-piece option but surely Carrick is a better bet in that position against Leicester on Saturday.
Marcos Rojo should be nowhere near the Manchester United team.....
Rojo's career at Old Trafford has been one of frustration and disappointment, and they should do everything they can to ship him out in the January transfer window.
A series of injuries have blighted him, but when he has featured he looks an accident waiting to happen defensively.
He had already been beaten in a 50-50 tackle with a tame effort before his woeful attempted clearing header caused mayhem in the box which led to the first half penalty.
United will have to write off a huge slice of the £16million they paid for him, but at least they will save on his wages.
Ander Herrera is such a valuable player to have in the squad........
He might not get all the headlines, but the Spaniard is exactly the type of player United need at the club.
There is no ego, just a great work ethic to go with the no shortage of ability and whenever he is required he is always Mr Consistent.
Given the other players around the club, it may be hard for him to be a regular starter for Jose Mourinho, but he is the ideal squad man who can be relied on to do a job in all sorts of positions.
No wonder the Old Trafford faithful love him.
Jose Mourinho got it right when the pressure was on......
After three straight defeats, Mourinho knew his team could ill afford to slip up, and despite making changes he still sent out a strong side to get the job done.
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When some of those players weren't doing the business, there was no messing around, changes were made - as Memphis and Timothy Fosu-Mensah found to their cost as they were hauled off to make way for the big guns Marcus Rashford and Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
Team selection and tactics were spot on, as largely United were in complete control of proceedings and that will be as welcome to Mourinho as it is to anyone.
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