Manchester United avoided a potential banana skin against Burnley but Sunderland suffered embarrassment at the hands of first division Sheffield United in the Worthington Cup tonight.
Goals in each half by strikers Diego Forlan and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer gave United a comfortable 2-0 win in their fourth-round tie at first division Burnley and a place in the quarter-finals.
Sunderland, third from bottom in the premier league, were sunk 2-0 at Bramall Lane, with Shaun Murphy and Wayne Allison scoring Sheffield United's goals.
Crystal Palace beat Oldham 2-0.