The League Cup

                                       

 The League Cup has been called many things over the years, in line with who has sponsored it at the time. Regardless, on the day of this year’s Carling Cup final, I thought I’d investigate Manchester United’s history in it. United have actually been in the final a total of 6 times, but have only won it twice - including the 2005/6 final. Wayne Rooney was named man of the match as they beat Wigan 4-0. The only other time they have won it was the 1991/2 season when they beat Nottingham Forest 1-0.

 The team has actually lost against Liverpool (1982/3 and 2002/3), Aston Villa (1993/4) and Sheffield Wednesday (1990/1). It is our worst record in a cup competition so maybe one to improve on!

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It just had to happen! The “Shrimpers” did it to us! That bugger Tilson must be on cloud nine having feared a mauling at the hands of United and instead saw his Championship-struggling team overcome a largely lacklustre United. Still, with the quality we had on the pitch … the game should’ve been won hands down. Too bad though! It turned out to be one of those days … and to their credit, they were anything but a side at the bottom of the Championship.

Fergie is trying to put a brave face but he must’ve been disappointed with the lads he took to Roots Hall should have come back with a victory. The likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney played the full 90 minutes but could not help United draw level and atleast take the tie into extra time. For large parts of the game, United were dominant and when the likes of Ronaldo found some room to shoot, their keeper was there to deny us every single time!

They scored a wonderful goal from a free-kick through Freddy Eastwood, although may have been a little late in judging the direction of the ball and hence being that split-second late in failing to make a save. Nevertheless, we huffed and puffed and tried over and over but the ball just wouldn’t go in for us. Like I said, one of those days. Alan Smith had a disappointing game for me upfront, he was removed in the second half still looking short of match fitness.

All in all, not much to shout about. But at the end of the day, I would prefer us to do well in the League and CL that do well in Carling Cup any day … so let’s hope we’ve gained more then we’ve lost today. Bring on Blackburn on Satda!

Other Reports: BBC, Soccernet.

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Manchester United vs. Southend United (Carling Cup - 4th Round) Preview

United take on the “Shrimpers” in the fourth round of the Carling Cup tonight. The squad was announced today and it looks like we’re taking a pretty strong team over at their place, meaning Fergie isn’t taking this lightly. Remember, we are the defending champions and I wouldn’t want to give this one up without a fight!

Fergie is understandably wary of our chances at the Roots Hall tonight, given the scare we got down at Gresty Road against Crewe. The inclusion of Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo, Rio Ferdinand and Louis Saha in the travelling party re-affirms by belief that Fergie is taking no chances on this one.

Our hosts, on the other hand, are not in the best of forms at the moment sitting at the foot of the Championship table! So it’s a head-to-head between the Premier League’s top team with Championship’s bottom team (atleast for the moment!) but let’s not get carried away, the potential for a banana skin is there alright!

In the end, one of those games at lowly opposition where anything can happen. But I’d firmly put my bet on Fergie making sure we don’t come back without winning this one.

My Preddy: Southend 0 - 2 ManYoo

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Manchester United vs. Crewe Alexandra (Carling Cup - 3rd Round)

Gresty Road, home of League One side Crewe Alexandra, proved to be a daunting place for the Red Devils as they left it late to secure victory.

Fergie expectedly fielded a weakened time, but the good news was the inclusion of Alan Smith in the starting eleven, his first start in nine months.

With the likes of David Jones and Ritchie Jones in the line-up amongst other youngsters, United found the going tough as Crewe dominated for most parts of the game. We were down right sloppy to be honest, a feeling echoed by Fergie at the post-match conference, Crewe were allowed far too much time and space on the ball which allowed them to settle and dominate for large parts of the game. The youngish team still had full seven internationals, but there was little evidence of it on the field.

Ole continued his good form with a neat finish to put us one-up after a cut back by Ritchie on 26 minutes. Crewe drew level through Luke Varney on 73 minutes and he nearly scored another only for Kuszczak to save with his legs.

Both sets of players looked visibly tired as extra time drew to a close, but fortunately for us an incisive through ball from Smith was put away nicely by the young Kieran Lee rifling in a low-shot which their keeper couldn’t keep out.

Fergie was disappointed with the performance and rightly so, read his reaction here.

Other Reports: BBC, Soccernet.

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