Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho believes his side deserved to beat Northampton Town and qualify for the fourth round of the EFL Cup.

The Red Devils secured a 3-1 victory over the Cobblers after three straight defeats, however, Mourinho’s men to respond and got off to a good start when Michael Carrick opened the scoring but Alex Revell levelled matters with a 42nd-minute penalty.

However, goals by Ander Herrera and Marcus Rashford ensured United’s progression into the next round of the tournament.

The 53-year-old managers believe his side deserved the victory after controlling the match for the opening and closing minutes.

‘We deserved it. It was as I was expecting. We were totally in control for the first 35 minutes and then we were back in control for the last 25 minutes,’ Mourinho said.

Mourinho admits that Northampton put up a good fight to put his side under pressure but he believes it was a positive performance for his side.

‘As a team, we had control from the beginning. I think the substitutions were just a contribution and, overall, the team was completely in control,’ he added.

‘The game could and should have been easier because normally it is easier against 10 men – we should have been playing against 10 men very early in the second half. But they fought and they played with their strength.

‘They tried to cause us problems, which they did at times, so it was a difficult match but overall it was a positive performance.’

Manchester United welcome Leicester City to Old Trafford in the Premier League on Saturday.

Kick-off has been set for 13:30.