Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side reached the last four of the competition for the first time since 2017 when they went on to lift the trophy and progressed by scoring three goals in the space of 10 minutes.
“Fantastic days in Manchester,” said Solskjaer. “Of course we do really respect them and as I said after the last derby game, in my opinion, they are the best team in England.
“They can out-football you so we need to have our game heads on and be ready of them again. We have shown them as well that we can cause them problems so it will be two fantastic games.”
Marcus Rashford wasted numerous chances in a frustrating first-half but brilliantly broke the deadlock early in the second period by cutting in from the left and lashing home.
England international Rashford turned provider for the home side’s third which was converted by Anthony Martial, in between Ryan Jackson’s own goal.
Colchester, understandably, offered little attacking threat against their more illustrious opponents with Callum Harriott’s low drive which skipped a yard wide their best opportunity.
The semi-finals are over two legs, with the first match at Old Trafford taking place in the week commencing 6 January and the second leg against the holders at Etihad Stadium in the week commencing 27 January.
Solskjaer’s side one step from final
Manager Solskjaer said before the game this was a competition his side “want to go all the way in” and it showed with a strong and experienced starting line-up containing the world’s most expensive defender Harry Maguire, Juan Mata, as well as Martial and Rashford.
In total, almost £200m worth of talent started for the home side at Old Trafford, in comparison to their fourth-tier opponents who had just one player – Harry Pell for £100,000 – that cost a transfer fee.
Colchester, the lowest-ranked team in the quarter-finals, defended deep in the opening period and forced the Red Devils into long-range, pot-shots with Rashford twice lacing wide and seeing a free-kick smothered by goalkeeper Dean Gerken.
Martial also fired a 30-yard strike narrowly wide but the fourth tier side was punished on 51 minutes on their first foray forward in the match. Full-back Jackson’s low cross was smothered by Sergio Romero before the Argentine goalkeeper set the hosts on a counter-attack which was converted through Rashford punishing finish.
John McGreal’s men were overwhelmed thereafter, Rashford could have had a second from Mason Greenwood’s vicious cross but visiting defender Jackson screwed into his own net ahead of him as Frenchman Martial slide home just after the hour mark.
There was no way back for the away side on their first visit to Old Trafford but they will be proud of a League Cup campaign in which they knocked out Premier League sides Crystal Palace and Tottenham.
‘I don’t feel anything is written in the stars’
Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer told Sky Sports: “We dominated, created chances, you are never sure until you get first goal, they are a hard team to break down and had 0-0 [results] against Palace and Tottenham.
“We created enough chances in the first half to put it to bed. If we had kept playing like the first half I would have been happy but in the second half we were miles worse, we didn’t make as many good decisions but we scored the goals.
“You always want to win trophies and games and we have a nice little draw coming up, exciting times ahead.
“I don’t feel anything is written in the stars, you work hard and do your best and take what you can from it.”
Carabao Cup specialist Solskjaer – the stats
- Manchester United have progressed from all 11 of their League Cup ties against fourth-tier opponents.
- Colchester conceded three goals in a match for the first time in 38 matches, since losing 3-0 to Exeter City in a League Two match in March.
- Manchester United are unbeaten in their last 12 home matches in all competitions (W7 D5) since losing 2-1 to Crystal Palace in August.
- Manchester United have reached their 15th League Cup semi-final – only Liverpool have reached more in the competition’s history (17).
- Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has progressed from all five of his League Cup ties as manager of Cardiff City and Manchester United.
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