Match Preview - Leeds United 0-3 Manchester United

Competition: Carling League Cup
Kick-Off & Date: 7:45pm, Tuesday, 20th September 2011
Venue: Elland Road, Leeds (Away) 
Attendance: 31,031


Manchester United avenged last year's embarrassing defeat to Leeds United by beating their old rivals 3-0 at Elland Road. In early 2010, it was Leeds who made history by beating The Reds at Old Trafford in The FA Cup, but Michael Owen twice scored and Ryan Giggs bagged another beauty as a youthful United side made sure of all 3 points away to Leeds in the Carling Cup Third Round tie. Ezekiel Fryers, Paul Pogba and Larnell Cole made their senior debuts...

Young goalkeeper Ben Amos started in goal, in only his 4th senior appearance, as Ezekiel Fryers paired Michael Carrick at centre-back. Antonio Valencia and Fabio Da Silva were fullbacks, while the midfield comprised of Ryan Giggs and Ji-Sung Park. Sir Alex Ferguson had four attackers up-front, with Mame Biram Diouf and Federico Macheda dropping back slightly to allow Dimitar Berbatov and Michael Owen to start ahead of the pack. 
 
Tom Lees and Ross McCormack both saw efforts cleared for Leeds United, and it was Berbatov who was on-hand to stop the Championship side taking a surprise lead. It was back and forth, but United were demanding a higher standard that Leeds just don't possess. That showed on 15 minutes when Berbatov and Ji-Sung combined to provide Owen with a golden opportunity, which he took in shabby fashion. Nevertheless, it was a goal !

Owen's first dribbled past goalkeeper Andy Lonergan, but it was enough to see the ball cross and the line. Robert Snodgrass had a shout when his curling attempt flew over Amos, before Adam Clayton tested-out the young United goalie. But it was the away side who maintained control, as the sheer depth of the Premier League Champions' squad shined through. Next up: Another goal for 'Little Mickey', although this time in much better style... 

Michael received the ball from the right, and took one touch before sending a rifling shot into the top left corner of Leeds' goal. Diouf was to thank for the assist, but it was Owen's striker instincts that kicked in when he took on the shot - which was always destined to be a powerful and deadly finish. Owen's second goal was his 6th League Cup goal for Manchester United in 6 League Cup appearances over 3 seasons. It proved the 31-year-old still has his talent. 

Valencia almost scored a couple of minutes after the second goal, but instead screwed the football wide of the mark. The Ecuadorian winger tried his luck again, and this time it was a shot on target at least, but it was held by the keeper. The mainly second-string side were looking up to the task at Elland Road, and Leeds were still a cut below The Reds. Once again, Leeds were exposed and this time it was the killer blow - delivered by Mr. Giggs before the break.

With one minute of extra time played in the first half, Giggs played a one-two with Park from a corner, before Ryan set-off on a run where he nutmegged Robert Snodgrass before toe-poking a wonderful goal into the home side's net from close range. Giggsy's first half clincher took a deflection that only helped the shot on it's way to beating the goalkeeper and it spelled game-over for Leeds and their originally noisy fans who were now silenced. 

Zeki Fryers was making his senior debut for United at centre-back, and the 19-year-old English defender was doing his side justice - one to watch for the future no doubt. Paul Pogba replaced scorer Ryan Giggs in the second period, and the 18-year-old French midfielder was living-up to expectations in his first senior appearance. Later Danny Welbeck arrived on the scene for Biram Diouf, as did Larnell Cole for Kiko Macheda past the 70th minute mark. 

Cole was also playing in his first first-team match-up, and the 18-year-old English midfielder is also one to look out for. Although he didn't have much time to impress - 13 minutes in all, Larnell looks as though he could become a regular in the near future. Adam Clayton had another glorious chance off-target, before Fryers suffered an unfortunate injury. But it finished 3-0 to United at Elland Road, and old rivals Leeds were halted in the Carling Cup...

United Team: Ben Amos, Ezekiel Fryers, Fabio Da Silva, Antonio Valencia, Ryan Giggs (Paul Pogba '46), Ji-Sung Park, Michael Carrick, Michael Owen, Federico Macheda (Larnell Cole '77), Dimitar Berbatov, Mame Biram Diouf (Danny Welbeck '70).

Goals: Owen '15, '32, Giggs '45+1
Bookings: Fabio '24, Diouf '27

• Video Highlights: Leeds United 0-3 United