Darron Gibson feels under pressure to perform for Manchester United

Darron Gibson says that the pressure was on Manchester United's young players to show that they could perform to expectations against Tottenham Hotspur in yesterday evening's League Cup quarter-final.

Gibson bagged both goals in what turned out to be a fairly straightforward win for the hosts, and he feels that a few of the recent criticisms of United's younger players were answered.

"I would say there was more pressure on us," said Gibson, according to Press Association Sport.

"We have to go out and prove we can play in the Premier League every week.

"That is exactly what I felt we did, even with the team we had on the pitch."

And Gibson is hopeful that last night's line-up will be handed another chance to impress in the semi-finals.

"The League Cup is a competition for the young players," he added.

"Hopefully the manager will maintain that no matter what happens and give us another chance in the semi-finals."

The midfielder, born in Northern Ireland but an international with the Republic of Ireland after invoking the Good Friday Agreement in order to switch countries, is also pleased that his hard work in training helped him notch the two goals.

"We have been working all week in training on quick play and getting shots off around the box," he explained.

"It paid off with those two goals."