Wednesday 30/11/2011
Carling Cup Quarter Final
United's kids stumble to quarter final defeat to a defiant Crystal Palace side.
The starting line up came as a shock to the United faithful as Sir Alex named internationals amongst the starting XI. The likes of Dimitar Berbatov, Park Ji-Sung and Antonio Valencia were fielded, and can be explained as them needing match time. There was still plenty of youth present, with the likes of Federico Macheda, Ben Amos, and Mame Biram Diouf all awarded starts.
United started well, dominating possession and earning early numerous corners in the early stages of the game, however Crystal Palace had a game plan of getting men behind the ball and it was working well, as the home side struggled to make any clear chances. Crystal Palace also posed a threat of their own through Wilfried Zaha and Sean Scannell who didn't look afraid to run at the United defence.
A lacklustre first half came to end with the most noticeable event was Fabio being replaced by youngster Ezekiel Fryers due to a 37th minute injury. Another change for United was forced at half time as Dimitar Berbatov, who had taken a knock to his ankle, was replaced by another promising youth talent Ravel Morrison.
United came out in the second half with renewed energy, Antonio Valencia looking most likely to make an impact on the game. And after just five second half minutes he almost did, when Palace defender Anthony Gardner stumbled over the ball releasing Valencia clear. However the Ecuadorian pulled his shot agonisingly wide of Lewis Price's goal. United were getting into their stride looking the most likely to score.
It didn't take much longer for the opening goal to come, but surprisingly it was against the run of play. When second half Palace substitute Darren Ambrose picked the ball up just inside the United half no one expected him to turn and fire into the top corner from nearly 40 yards, but that he did, leaving Ben Amos in the United goal no chance. The 5,000 visiting fans went wild as they saw their side take a shock lead with a stunning strike.
United were invigorated by the goal and it only took four minutes for the home side to pull things level. When Federico Macheda was hauled down in the box, he made no mistake from the penalty spot, sending Price the wrong way. This is where you would have thought United pushed on to win the game on a counter, but this simply did not happen. Palace continually kept United at bay. 90 minutes were up and we were into extra time. United had been forced into another substitution in the second half with Rafael picking up United's third injury of the night, Paul Pogba was his replacement. United's team was starting to look very inexperienced and in the end it was this that cost them the tie.
In the 98th minute Glenn Murray headed home from an offside position following a rare free kick in the United half, miraculously for the second home game in the row the referee's assistant made a critical error, allowing the goal to stand.
United just could not find a second equaliser despite Macheda and Valencia coming close in the dying embers of the game. Crystal Palace held on for a famous victory, which was only United's second defeat of the season in all competitions. A disappointing result will perhaps be a blessing in disguise, as United now avoid a two legged semi-final in a competition which will always be their lowest priority.
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