Match Preview - Aldershot Town 0-3 Manchester United

Competition: Carling League Cup
Kick-Off & Date: 7:45pm, Tuesday, 25th October 2011
Venue: Recreation Ground, Aldershot (Away)
Attendance: 7,044


Manchester United got their season back on track with a routine 3-0 win over Aldershot Town in the Carling League Cup on Tuesday night. The EBB Stadium welcomed The Red Devils in their biggest match of recent history, but the League Two side were outclassed by Sir Alex Ferguson's youthful line-up. It was the seniors, though, whose goals were chalked down. Dimitar Berbatov, Michael Owen and Antonio Valencia were the ones to thank...

Ben Amos got a welcome start in goal for United, seeing Nemanja Vidic and Phil Jones ahead at centre-back, with Fabio Da Silva and Ezekiel Fryers filling in on the flanks. The midfield was made up of three players; Tom Cleverley in the centre, and Antonio Valencia and Ji-Sung Park on the wings. Up-front, in a three-pronged attack, were Dimitar Berbatov, Michael Owen and Mame Biram Diouf. A complete overhaul of last weekend's staring XI. 

United were all over Aldershot Town in the opening stages, before the home side came back into the game slightly when Vidic brutally fouled Alex Rodman with just 10 minutes played. Nemanja was booked, before Cleverley, Berbatov and Diouf tested the Aldershot goal. On 15 minutes, Ji-Sung played a one-two with Cleverley, passed to Berba, who turned and fired into the goals past goalkeeper Ross Worner for his first goal of the season. 

The Reds were well in the lead with possesion, but the score was still only 1-0. Town's Luke Guttridge clearly fouled Berbatov in the box minutes after the opening goal, but referee Lee Probert denied the spot kick. Dimitar had another couple of efforts ruled out, but it was clear that the 30-year-old Bulgarian striker was on a mission to prove his value to manager Sir Alex Ferguson, after falling out of kilter with the Scottish gaffer at Old Trafford.

United continued to scare 'The Shots' at The Recreation Ground, and Owen's goal on 41 minutes ended already fading hopes of Aldershot coming back into contention. Berbatov played a slick pass to Owen, who hit the ball into the centre of the net for his 7th Carling League Cup goal in 7 matches. The 31-year-old English striker has an incredible goalscoring record for The Red Devils in the competition, and can be relied on for goals galore. 

Aldershot went into the tunnels at half-time with their heads held high, but Dean Holdsworth's League Two side were just no match for the mighty Reds. Four divisions and now two goals separated the teams, with United heading for the Carling Cup Quarter-Finals. Sir Alex's men have won the competition 3 times within the last 5 years, and this season the hunger is no different. With the start of the second half, the away side remained in control. 

3 minutes into the second period, Valencia had unleashed a stunning drive into the roof of the Aldershot goals. Cleverley provided the assist, and Antonio smashed the ball past keeper Worner for United's third goal of the game. The tie was more or less over, and before too long Berbatov was denied another spot kick when Aaron Morris handled in the box. Paul Pogba, Michael Keane and Ravel Morrison entered the fray beyond the hour. 
 
Ezekiel Fryers, Tom Cleverley and Mame Diouf were sacrificed, as the scoreline remained unchanged. Berbatov, Park and Morrison all had late changes to boost the advantage to four, but United were satisfied and didn't try too hard to find another goal. Luke Guttridge forced a wonder Ben Amos save, and at the other end Valencia spurned a glorious opportunity. Despite the late flurry, the match ended 3-0 in favour of Manchester United.

Sir Alex will have been content with the performance of his mix of old and new, and now looking towards Everton on Saturday, he has a selection headache with so many youngsters impressing on Tuesday night. But one thing is for sure, the Premier League tie at Goodison Park is a must-win for the boys in Red, after some recent problematic results in the domestic competition. But, then again, we are Champions and have been on 19 occasions !

United Team: Ben Amos, Fabio Da Silva, Nemanja Vidic, Phil Jones, Ezekiel Fryers (Michael Keane '70), Antonio Valencia, Ji-Sung Park, Tom Cleverley (Paul Pogba '60), Michael Owen, Dimitar Berbatov, Mame Diouf (Ravel Morrison '70).

Goals: Berbatov '15, Owen '41, Valencia '48
Bookings: Vidic '9

• Video Highlights: Aldershot Town 0-3 United