Edinson Cavani and Man Utd take advantage of their luck when Everton went to the ground in the absence of VAR

Yes, it could have been sent to pack early had the VAR not been relieved of its duties in this particular competition.

There was probably an element of provocation, but grabbing an opposition defender by the neck doesn’t usually sound good at Stockley Park.

And Edinson Cavani was certainly lucky that real-time referee Andrew Madley did not view the Uruguayan’s role in a minor dispute with Yerry Mina as violent conduct.

But there was no injustice in this result, no role of fortune in the result.

United were comfortably better and Cavani, strictly in a football sense, a class act personified by the late left-foot finish that sent United into the semi-finals.

And Cavani’s performance here was a reminder of the riches Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has at his disposal.

Cavani’s hit assist was provided by Anthony Martial, who then scored a breakout second with the last kick of the procedure.

Martial, along with Marcus Rashford and Luke Shaw, had entered during the second half.

And there’s United’s strength in depth.

Solskjaer was able to make nine changes from Leeds’ eleven and still could not be accused of taking the tie or the competition lightly.

On the other hand, Carlo Ancelotti sent what looked like a Premier League starting lineup.

With United participating in Leicester City at lunchtime on Boxing Day, it was a pragmatic move from Solskjaer, but the quality across his team is undeniable.

Three United players made a beeline for Ancelotti before kick-off, giving him a warm hand.

Paul Pogba, Cavani and Nemanja Matic – three players who are not guaranteed a starting spot at Old Trafford.

Ancelotti would love those kinds of options and by the time Farhad Moshiri is done spending, he could have.

But for now, Everton is always going to have a real fight against the best teams.

This was demonstrated here.

Throughout an uneven first half, United, with particularly instrumental Pogba and Bruno Fernandes, seemed to sneak away at will.

The only surprise was that after the show ended the weekend, it took them so long to make a breakthrough.

The different staff had clearly not been watching and learning.

Mason Greenwood and Pogba’s headers kissed the post and landed on Robin Olsen’s stomach, respectively, and the Swedish goalkeeper made a nice double save from Cavani.

You know if Cavani was starting game in, game out, he would be prolific.

But he seemed a bit anxious in the opening exchanges, although he tried his luck from 45 yards, which tells you about a player who will never lack confidence.

And a combative moment was never lacking, hence the entanglement with Mina in the second half.

There were complaints from Everton at the time and Solskjaer will no doubt have a few quiet words with his seasoned forward to try to make sure he is not repeated in the Premier League.

But Cavani and Mina’s disagreement was a trivial encounter compared to the collision that ended Richarlison’s night.

A push from Bruno Fernandes and a flying and reckless challenge from Eric Bailly that shocked the Brazilian.

It was obviously not malicious, but there was obvious danger in United’s pincer movement and when he finally left the field, probably without warning on foot, Richarlison was unable to walk straight.

Coupled with the apparent fortunes of Cavani’s break, that certainly irritated the small contingent of home fans and the Everton players.

But thanks to the class of that man, Cavani, any sense of injustice, however wrong, was not enough for Everton to end.

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