Manchester United has lost a third game in a row for the first time since 2001 following Sunderland's one-goal lead over them at the Stadium of Light on Tuesday into the Capital One Cup semi-final second leg.
United has won the League Cup three times in the past decade, in 2006, 2009 and 2010, but a premature exit this time around would leave them relying almost solely on the Champions League to rescue their campaign.
According to the BBC, Ryan Giggs' own goal in first-half injury time had put Sunderland ahead in the game and although United's Nemanja Vidic levelled with a towering header soon after the restart, however, Sunderland earned their first win over United since 2000, a run of 21 matches with Liverpool loanee Fabio Borini's penalty in the 64th minute.
The defeat deepens the woes of boss David Moyes after United's FA Cup hopes were ended by Swansea City on Sunday, while their hopes of retaining the Premier League title appear to be disappearing, with leaders Arsenal 11 points clear, the report added.
