United bounce back with League Cup win at Aldershot

Manchester United bounced back from Sunday’s disastrous display with a comfortable 3-0 Carling Cup win at Aldershot Town. A strong United side strolled into the quarter-finals of the competition thanks to goals from Dimitar Berbatov, Michael Owen and Antonio Valencia.

7,044 supporters packed into Aldershot’s Recreation Ground as the League Two club celebrated one of the biggest nights in their history.

£5 souvenir programmes and a sell-out crowd summed up the magnitude of the occasion for the Shots.

United ultimately won the game comfortably – though Aldershot competed well at times and came close to grabbing a late consolation strike.

Sir Alex Ferguson made 11 changes from the side humbled by City – but still named a strong XI, including £30million frontman Berbatov, £16million winger Valencia and £7million centre-back Nemanja Vidic.

Berbatov broke the deadlock on 15 minutes. His neat finish capped a fine attacking move, with Ji-Sung Park trading passes with Tom Cleverley before the Bulgarian striker composed himself and slotted the ball home.

United ‘keeper Ben Amos was rarely troubled but, following Berbatov’s opener, the Shots attempted to find a surprise equaliser by firing long-range efforts at United’s Macclesfield-born stopper.

Fergie’s men doubled their lead four minutes before the break as Owen continued his love affair with the Carling Cup.

The striker found Berbatov with a fine long ball and the towering striker cheekily took the ball into the penalty area. Owen had continued his run and his Bulgarian strike partner found him with a fine pass, allowing the ex-Liverpool man to dispatch a powerful strike into the roof of the net.

United rapped up victory shortly after the break through Valencia. Cleverley found the winger with a long pass to his right and the winger drilled home a jaw-dropping long-range effort to the delight of the travelling Red Army.

This was an important win for United – not only ensuring safe passage into the Carling Cup quarter-final, but also ensuring the club moved on quickly after Sunday’s debacle. Sir Alex made 11 changes – but his big-name players all played well, with Berbatov particularly impressive.

United are back in league action on the weekend against Everton, whilst fans also have the quarter-final draw to look forward to.

Full Time – Aldershot Town 0-3 Manchester United
Attendance – 7,044