Pogba 6, Shaw 7; Sterling 8, Foden 8: Manchester United v City semi-final player ratings

Pep Guardiola secures League Cup final against Jose Mourinho's Tottenham

MANCHESTER UNITED RATINGS: Dean Henderson, 6 - Old Trafford debut and the first time he’s conceded a goal in his fourth League Cup game. Fine save from Mahrez. AFP

Aaron Wan-Bissaka, 5 - Pressured by Foden in first half but stood up well. His clearance went straight to Fernandinho for City’s second. AFP

Harry Maguire, 6 - Challenging start to the game as City pulled and prodded at him and partner Lindelof, but he was up to it. Wasn’t close enough to De Bruyne when he hit the post and hesitated as Stones put City ahead. Won't be lifting a much-needed trophy for United in April. Reuters

Victor Lindelof, 6 - Started ahead of the in-form Bailly. Did well in first half but watched as the ball spun in for City’s opener. Both City’s goals came from set plays which was disappointing from United. AFP

Luke Shaw, 7 - Up against Sterling and coped well with him, blocking him twice in the first half. Booked at the last. AP

Scott McTominay, 6 - Chastising opening as City dominated in the middle, then shot well over as United started to breathe. First player to come off as United needed to take more risks. AFP

Fred, 6 - Tough opening and far fewer touches than in a normal game against a side who had far more possession. Fine ball to Rashford after 30 minutes. Booked. And on the losing side in a fourth consecutive semi-final. AFP

Marcus Rashford, 5 - Turned Zinchenko but was blocked. Could have done better when set up by Fred in what was probably United’s best chance. Below par, like his team, but also playing against more incisive opponents. Reuters

Bruno Fernandes, 5 - Eighth minute strike well saved. Lost possession as took risks and four shots, but average by his own high standards against a better side. One of the players who can provide game changing moments, but didn’t show. Not this time. AFP

Paul Pogba, 6 - Been in form and played well in first half, but more limited in second. Absent by front post for City’s opener. Moved forward as United went 4-3-3 to try for an equaliser but thwarted. AFP

Anthony Martial, 5 - Disappointing. Dived to try and get a penalty as United tried to get level. There are times when this United side look like they need a top centre forward. Tonight was one of them. Reuters

SUBS: Mason Greenwood, 6 - On for McTominay after 75 minutes. Lively run blocked by the exceptional Ruben Dias. Reuters

Donny van de Beek, N/A - On for Fred after 87. Not enough time to change. PA

MANCHESTER CITY RATINGS: Zach Steffen, 7 - A strong performance in the first half, making a vital save from a long-range shot from Bruno Fernandes. He wasn’t worked hard, but he was on hand to make a few important stops when needed. AP

Joao Cancelo, 5 - The Portuguese international had a poor game. Pogba outclassed him on the left-hand side by constantly getting past him, though Cancelo did perform better going forward. A poor performance in a very good team effort. Reuters

Ruben Dias, 8 - A key player for City who made several key blocks, especially from a Rashford effort which could easily have gone in and changed the complexion of the game. Getty

John Stones, 9 - He was lucky not to score an early own goal, the offside flag saving his blushes. He made up for it with a decisive strike when he slotted home in the area following a wicked free-kick. Overall, he was excellent. Reuters

Oleksandr Zinchenko, 6 - Rashford got the better of him a few times, which was United’s plan, but the left-back made some very good clearances, and provided some teasing through balls. AFP

Fernandinho, 8 - A decent performance with some key blocks, some quick passing, and a sensational goal from the edge of the box from a corner to secure City the win. AFP

Ilkay Gundogan, – 7 A mixed game for the German, who got himself into some good spaces in the first half. His passing sometimes let him down, but he enjoyed having the freedom to roam high up the pitch. Reuters

Phil Foden, 8 - The 20-year-old showed his skill and creativity throughout the game. He was unlucky to see what looked like a perfectly good goal ruled out for offside, but he provided a perfect assist for Stones’ goal. AP

Riyad Mahrez, 6 - A quieter performance for the Algerian, though he was asked to play more centrally and found it hard to get involved. However, he nearly scored from a long-range shot, which was only just tipped over by Henderson. AFP

Raheem Sterling, 8 - He displayed the customary trickery and skill, and provided a series of through balls. A very good performance from the winger who was one of the best players on the pitch, even though he was given a tough game by Luke Shaw. Reuters

Kevin De Bruyne, 8 - Another great performance from the Belgian. He showed superior strength and skill throughout, and was unlucky to see his long-range shot bounce off the left post. AFP

SUB: Rodri, N/A - Brought on late by Guardiola to help steady the game, he made no real impact. AFP

Manchester City reached their fourth straight League Cup final as second-half goals from John Stones and Fernandinho gave Pep Guardiola's side a 2-0 win over Manchester United in the semi-final at Old Trafford.

City will meet Jose Mourinho's Tottenham Hotspur at Wembley in the April 25 final as they seek their fourth League Cup triumph in a row.

It was an open and entertaining game with City looking sharper but United competitive as they sought revenge for last year's defeat by their neighbours at the same stage of the competition.

City went ahead five minutes after the break when Phil Foden whipped in a free kick from the left through a crowded box and defender Stones bundled a cross home at the back post, the ball going in off his thigh.

Fernandinho made sure of the win seven minutes from time with a stunning volley as he pounced on a headed clearance from Aaron Wan-Bissaka.

United have now lost at the semi-final stage in their last four Cup campaigns, leaving manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer still searching for his first final since taking over at the club.

"We're getting closer. This is a much better version of United than a year ago in those semis," said the Norwegian.

"It's not psychological, sometimes you meet good teams in the semis. City are probably the best team in England at the moment."

Player ratings from the match can be seen in the gallery above. To view the next image, click on the arrows or swipe on the picture.