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Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s team dominated for long stretches of the quarter-finals at Goodison Park, but it was until the 88th minute before Edinson Cavani broke the deadlock.
The former Paris Saint-Germain forward’s fourth goal for United since joining on a free transfer in October came at the same place where he opened his account for the club last month.
Anthony Martial scored United’s second goal in injury time.
After a difficult period that raised doubts about Solskjaer’s future after his departure from the Champions League, United have regained their balance.
He is third in the Premier League and has won his last three matches in all competitions.
United last lifted the silver medal when they won the Europa League in 2017 and Solskjaer says they are “desperate” to end that sterile streak.
The Norwegian, who won nine major trophies as a player with United, took over Old Trafford in 2018 and saw his team lose in three semi-finals last season.
He now has a chance to improve this season after United joined second-division champions Manchester City, Tottenham and Brentford in the semi-finals of the League Cup.
Everton made just three changes since a 2-1 win over Arsenal, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison starting in attack.
By contrast, Harry Maguire and Bruno Fernandes were the only United players to keep their places after Leeds’ 6-2 win at the weekend, with Paul Pogba returning to the starting lineup.
But it was United who dominated and Robin Olsen kept Cavani’s close-range effort out before Mason Greenwood’s header hit the far post.
Solskjaer sent out Marcus Rashford and Martial in the second half and it turned out to be an inspired move.
With just two minutes remaining on the penalty shoot-out, Martial slipped a pass to Cavani, who fired a magnificent shot at Olsen from the edge of the penalty area.
Martial then hit home plate with practically the last kick after Everton were caught throwing too many players forward.
There damn
José Mourinho accused Tottenham midfielder Dele Alli of creating “problems” for his own team during the win against Stoke
Wales striker Gareth Bale took advantage of an unusual start to put Mourinho’s team ahead at Bet365 Stadium.
But Alli was to blame when his extravagant move was intercepted in preparation for Jordan Thompson’s draw for Stoke.
Alli’s latest mistake prompted an angry response from Mourinho’s side, who rebuked the star before replacing him minutes later.
Ben Davies put Tottenham in front with his first goal since 2017 before England captain Harry Kane sealed the Spurs’ spot in the semi-finals.
But it was Alli’s public reprimand that drew attention, with the English international’s miserable season hitting a new low in his first start since Nov. 26.
Already exiled for long periods this term by Mourinho and linked to a transfer in January to Paris Saint-Germain, Alli is a shadow of the player who shone during England’s run to the semifinals of the 2018 World Cup.
Mourinho made it clear that the 24-year-old had to take the blame for his latest mistake.
“Yes, for me a player who plays in that position is a player who has to link and create and not create problems for his own team,” said Mourinho.
“In that situation, an objective counter would probably end with a goal, and it ended with a counter behind our defenders.
“We were unbalanced because when you are in possession you have wide wings and another midfielder in a different line and they caught us on a counterattack and transformed the result of the match that was totally in our hands. So yes. I’m upset.”
smg / gj
