Phil Neville believes Paul Pogba was "really lucky" not to get sent off against Bristol City after his high, late challenge on Marlon Pack.
Pogba was making his first appearance after returning from suspension following his red card against Arsenal after catching Hector Bellerin with his studs.
And the Frenchman could have faced a similar punishment on Wednesday were it not for some lenient refereeing.
Former Manchester United defender Neville believes Pogba was just an inch or so away from catching Pack with his studs and facing a near-certain red card and suspension.
"He got sent off for tackle like this on Bellerin," Neville said on Sky Sports.
"He’s got away with that there, because he’s not connected with the leg of Pack, he has slid across the thigh.
He continued: "If he’d connected with studs that'd be a red card and another three-game suspension so he's really lucky."
Pogba may have stayed on the pitch but he couldn't prevent Manchester United crashing out of the Carabao Cup after Korey Smith's stoppage-time strike secured a stunning 2-1 victory.
The Championship promotion challengers joined Manchester City, Chelsea and Arsenal in the last-four as Smith's winner rocked a star-studded United side.
Joe Bryan gave City a 51st-minute lead but Zlatan Ibrahimovic equalised shortly afterwards. Then, just when extra-time beckoned, Smith was set free by Matty Taylor and delivered the goods.
United became City's fourth Premier League scalp in the Carabao Cup this season after they sent Watford, Stoke and Crystal Palace packing.