Everton 0 Manchester United 2

In front of 2,000 home fans, United absolutely dominated proceedings throughout the 90 minutes, but just couldn't find a finish.

Cavani, who netted his first goal for the Reds at Goodison Park in last month's Premier League meeting, stepped up to make the vital breakthrough two minutes from the end, with a brilliant curling effort after being found by substitute Anthony Martial, who himself doubled the margin of victory in the final seconds of injury time.

It was exactly what United deserved and it maintained our superb domestic away form.

FIRST HALF - REDS DOMINATE BUT IT'S DEADLOCK

With three games to come in six days, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer promised changes to his side and he made nine from the XI that started the 6-2 win over Leeds, with Bruno Fernandes and Harry Maguire the only player retained. Carlo Ancelotti, meanwhile, made three alterations to the Toffees team that beat Arsenal 2-1, with the main one of interest taking place in goal, as Robin Olsen came in for Jordan Pickford.

United picked up where we left off against Leeds and started brightly. Moving the ball quickly and with precision, the Reds opened up the Toffees' defence with ease at times. The only thing we were lacking was a finish.

On seven minutes, Paul Pogba brilliantly backheeled to Donny van de Beek in the box, but his effort was well blocked from close range. The lively Cavani almost scored from the resulting corner, although an offside flag was later raised. Olsen breathed a sigh of relief soon after when Cavani just failed to nick the ball off him after closing down a clearance, before the Everton stopper blocked another effort from the Uruguayan minutes later.

An excellent move from the Reds on 16 minutes led to Alex Telles crossing from the left, but Cavani was denied – twice – at the back post. It was Mason Greenwood’s turn to go close next, this time with a low glancing header which flicked off the outside of the far post as Olsen stood watching. Pogba then headed straight at Olsen as United continued to utterly dominate the opening half an hour of the match.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin registered the hosts’ first effort on target when he headed straight into the arms of Dean Henderson on 35 minutes, and, two minutes later, our no.26 superbly tipped away a Gylfi Sigurdsson free-kick.

The Reds ended the first period back in the ascendancy with Fernandes testing Olsen with a free-kick, but it remained goalless at the break.

SECOND HALF - OLE'S MEN LEAVE IT LATE

It was all United again following the restart, but still that killer touch in the final third couldn’t be found. Cavani took a ball on his chest and turned superbly in the box, but his thumping effort was touched away for a corner.

Everton lost Richarlison to injury just before the hour-mark following a collision involving him, Fernandes and Eric Bailly, as United kept up the pressure.

Soon after, Ole opted to add further attacking reinforcements in the shape of Martial and Marcus Rashford as the Reds looked to kill off the tie without the need for a penalty shootout.

Time ebbed away quickly for the remainder of the half as the clear-cut chances lessened. Telles curled a free-kick just over late on and spot-kicks looked to be on the cards.

That was until Martial found Cavani, who found the finish we'd be missing all night... and what a finish it was. The creator then slotted home United's second goal himself in the dying stages.

Semi-finals here we come!

MATCH DETAILS

Everton: Olsen, Coleman, Godfrey, Keane, Mina, Doucoure (Tosun 89), Gomes (Davies 58), Sigurdsson, Iwobi, Richarlison (Bernard 56), Calvert-Lewin.

Subs not used: Pickford, Kenny, Holgate, Gordon. 

United: Henderson; Tuanzebe, Bailly, Maguire, Telles (Shaw 84); Matic, Pogba; van de Beek (Martial 67), Fernandes; Greenwood (Rashford 67), Cavani.

Subs not used: Grant, Fosu-Mensah, Fred, Lingard. 

Goals: Cavani 88, Martial 90+6.

Booked: Pogba, Tuanzebe, Shaw, Martial.