This archive report was first published on 26 September 2019.
Manchester United's struggles in the Premier League continued, but they managed to avoid a humiliating exit from the League Cup after a 1-1 draw against third-tier Rochdale on September 25, 2019, at Old Trafford.
Manchester United's Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side was held to a 1-1 draw after 16-year-old Luke Matheson scored a 76th-minute equalizer following Mason Greenwood's opener for United eight minutes earlier.
With United in danger of a humiliating exit, they held their nerve in the shoot-out, winning 5-3 as Daniel James converted the decisive kick after Sergio Romero saved Rochdale's second penalty from Jimmy Keohane.
Although United avoided the embarrassment of losing to a team 17th in League One, the sloppy manner of their performance will raise fresh questions about Solskjaer's ability to inspire his side.
"We go 1-0 up and you think 'come on, get a second'. It's a learning curve," Solskjaer said.
"At this club we don't sit back and think that's good enough. That's not what we want here," Solskjaer added.
Meanwhile, Liverpool eased to a 2-0 victory at third-tier MK Dons as Harvey Elliott became the youngest player to start a competitive match for the club.
Frank Lampard got a first home win as Chelsea boss under his belt as his youthful side thumped fourth division Grimsby 7-1.
Other results from the League Cup included a stunning 4-0 defeat for West Ham at Oxford, a 1-0 win for Sunderland at Sheffield United, and a 2-0 win for Burton over Bournemouth.
