Five things we learned from Manchester United beating Swansea in the Carabao Cup

After Manchester United’s abysmal display in their 2-1 loss against Huddersfield, José Mourinho was expecting a reaction against Swansea.

While there were only four players on the pitch starting for the Red Devils that also played against the Terriers, there was a definitive difference in their attitude and performance.

READ MORE: As it happened – Man Utd beat Swansea in Wales

READ MORE: Impressive Isak opens account as Pokal holders cruise through

READ MORE: Clinical Lingard helps Man Utd to Carabao Cup quarter-finals
United came through unscathed in a 2-0 victory in South Wales, thanks to two very clinical finishes from local boy Jesse Lingard.

Here are five things we learned from Manchester United’s performance:

It will take time for Victor Lindelöf to feel comfortable

The centre back, signed from Benfica over the summer, has had a shaky start to his Manchester United career. Lindelöf was responsible for the opening goal conceded against Huddersfield, and did not fill fans or Mourinho with confidence when the Terriers attacked United’s goal.

While he has looked competent in the Champions League, it appears it is going to take longer for Lindelöf to settle in properly domestically. Once again, the Swedish defender looked nervous in defence and was not as assured as previously shown in Europe.

There was one moment in the first half where he was on the wrong side of Wayne Routledge, wrongly appealed for offside, failed to track back quickly enough, and had to eventually be bailed out of trouble by Manchester United’s youngster Axel Tuanzebe.

No one should write Lindelöf yet, given the slow starts to the likes of Nemanja Vidić, David de Gea and Patrice Evra among others, but it will take more time for the Swedish centre back to get up to speed and become a defensive rock for the Red Devils.

Two strikers is another option for Man Utd

Mourinho turned to a three-back formation against Swansea, in what appeared to be a trial and error tactic ahead of their two important fixtures against Tottenham and Chelsea.

It allowed Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford to both roam up front, creating a unique partnership that is seldom seen under Mourinho. This type of formation gave freedom and fluidity to United’s forward line, with Lingard operating through the middle.

The Portuguese boss’ plan worked well and was the maker of the opening goal. Ander Herrera slid in a lovely ball into Rashford’s path, by passing Swansea’s midfield, to which the English forward flicked the ball around the leg of the on-stretched defender into Lingard’s path, who finished calmly into the corner of the net.

From goal kicks and pumps forward from Man United’s defence, one of Martial or Rashford would go to the ball and look to knock it down for the other. When Romelu Lukaku has been operating as the centre forward by himself, too often he is left isolated without anyone to bring into the game.

It is a long road back for Luke Shaw

Shaw has a troubled time since returning from his double leg fracture back in 2015, and the road does not appear to be getting any easier for the 22-year-old.

The English left back featured earlier this season against Burton Albion in the League Cup for a 45 minute cameo, but he could only manage a measly eight minutes in this clash against Swansea.

It was a damning indictment from Mourinho to only bring him on for such a small amount of time. Shaw has been playing for the reserves, so he is fit and healthy, but he is obviously not in the forefront of the boss’ mind when he thinks about his left back.

Shaw was one of the most promising players in England after his breakthrough at Southampton, but there is a long way back for him now to impress Mourinho and nail down a regular place in the first-team.

Axel Tuanzebe looks to be the next academy graduate promoted

Tuanzebe is very highly thought upon behind closed doors at Manchester United, and there is an obvious reason to understand why.

The fact that he can play at centre back, right back and in defensive midfield is a huge bonus and shows his versatility, but also the fact that Tuanzebe is incredibly assured with the ball at his feet.

For a 19-year-old, Tuanzebe shows great composure and confidence when playing for Man United. The occasion clearly does not faze him, which was proven when he was drafted in against Arsenal last season to man-mark Alexis Sánchez.

The young England international has a huge future ahead of him and should be a permanent fixture for the Red Devils in the League Cup.

Romelu Lukaku’s dry run

The Belgian centre forward has now not scored in four appearances for United.

Perhaps there is not a massive reason to be worried, given all strikers go through dry patches, but now is not the time for Lukaku to be struggling in front of goal – given Man United face Tottenham and Chelsea in the Premier League.

While four games is not a huge amount of time, his incognito appearances in recent weeks is a bit of a worry for Mourinho. There was criticism of Lukaku’s involvement in the traditionally ‘bigger’ games at Everton, but he can silence those critics with an influential performance against Tottenham.

It is now time for Lukaku to say to the world he can produce on the biggest and most important stages of all.