Carabao Cup: Bristol City 2 Man. United 1

Manchester United's defence of the Carabao Cup ended as Bristol City struck a stoppage-time winner at Ashton Gate.

Joe Bryan had put the home side ahead with a superb drive before Zlatan Ibrahimovic marked his first start of the season with a well-taken equaliser. And, after both sides missed further chances, Korey Smith struck the Robins’ winner in the 93rd minute to spark wild celebrations among the Championship side's fans.

It was a heartbreaking end to an entertaining tie in which both sides played their part, with ex-United goalkeeper Luke Steele making several saves to deny his former club. Jose Mourinho's men must now focus on Premier League matters over the Christmas period.

Josh Brownhill produced the first chance of the match after Paul Pogba brought down Marlon Pack in the United half. Brownhill’s free-kick was powerful but down the middle of the goal and that allowed Sergio Romero to tip it over the bar.

The Reds were knocking on the door moments later as Anthony Martial found Ibrahimovic at the back post and, despite the angle, he appeared to have Steele beaten, only for his deflected effort to hit the crossbar and stay out.

City threatened, again from a set-piece, when Pack’s corner was headed towards goal by Nathan Baker, with Daley Blind clearing at the near post.

Marcus Rashford was unfortunate not to open the scoring when he drove a brilliant effort from distance that looked certain for the bottom right corner but, like Ibrahimovic, he too struck the woodwork.

The home fans thought their side had broken the deadlock when Aden Flint put the ball in the net after blocking Romero’s attempted kick upfield, but referee Mike Dean had already blown for a foul on the United stopper. Romero then made a fine save to deny an effort on goal by Hordur Magnusson.

The hosts finished the half strongly and Blind was again required to step in, the Dutchman making a superb and vital tackle to stop Smith, who was bearing down on goal.

The Robins took the lead within six second-half minutes as Bryan got on the end of Pack’s through-ball and fired a stunning shot beyond Romero, who could do nothing as the ball went in off his left-hand post.

Mourinho’s men were behind for just seven minutes, before Ibrahimovic skilfully placed a low free-kick under the wall and into the back of the net via a deflection for his first goal of the season.

With the match nearing the latter stages, both sides looked keen to find a winner in normal time, as City brought on Matty Taylor and United introduced Romelu Lukaku and Henrikh Mkhitaryan.

United pushed for a winner and Bryan had to make a last-ditch tackle after Luke Shaw had played Rashford in behind, before Lukaku forced Steele into two diving saves with a header and a low shot.

It was to be the hosts that would claim the victory, however, as Smith found the net from close range, prompting jubilant celebrations from the home fans and a pitch invasion at full-time.

THE LINE-UPS

Bristol City: Steele; Baker, Magnusson (Taylor 69), Flint, Wright (c); Pack, Smith, Brownhill (Eliasson 76), Bryan; Paterson, Reid.

Subs not used: Fielding, Vyner, Kelly, Garita, Lemonheigh-Evans.

Booked: Paterson.

United: Romero; Darmian (Smalling 94), Lindelof, Rojo, Blind (Lukaku 61), Shaw; McTominay, Pogba; Rashford, Martial; Ibrahimovic (c) (Mkhitaryan 69).

Subs not used: Pereira, Herrera, Mata, Lingard.

Booked: Rashford, Pogba, McTominay.

WHAT'S NEXT FOR UNITED?

It’s back to Premier League action for the Reds on Saturday (23 December) with a trip to the King Power Stadium to take on Claude Puel’s Leicester City, with kick-off at 19:45 GMT.