Manchester United reached the Women’s League Cup final for the first time with a narrow victory against a wasteful Arsenal.

The game’s only goal was a gift for the visitors, with goalkeeper Anneke Borbe sloppily passing the ball out to United’s Ellen Wangerheim, who set up a simple finish for Elisabeth Terland.

Terland’s strike came at the end of a half which had also seen the Norwegian denied a penalty appeal when she was knocked to the ground by Katie McCabe in the Arsenal box.

Another unnecessary error reduced Arsenal’s chances of finding a way back as forward Olivia Smith was shown a second yellow card in the second half after fouling a United player in the final third.

Substitute Melvine Malard should have added a second for the visitors when one-on-one with Borbe, but she flashed an effort over the bar from close range.

In a game where Arsenal often looked the better side – creating more chances and shifting the ball about nicely in the visitors’ third – they did little in the way of troubling United goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce.

They will take on holders Chelsea, who beat Manchester City 1-0 on Wednesday, in the final at Bristol City’s Ashton Gate on Sunday, 15 March.

Defeat for the Gunners means the seven-time winners have now gone back-to-back seasons without making the final.