Manchester United Vs. Middlesbrough Match Report

Goals from Cristiano Ronaldo, Ryan Giggs and Nani ensured United’s safe progression to the Carling Cup fourth round, but the 3-1 victory over Middlesbrough was marred by what looked to be a serious injury to Rodrigo Possebon.

The Brazilian was carried off following a horror tackle from Emanuel Pogatetez who was rightfully dismissed for the second half offence.

Earlier, Ronaldo’s 25th minute header was cancelled out by substitute Adam Johnson’s volley. Giggs calmly put United ahead ten minutes from time, before Nani slotted home a third in the fourth of nine minutes of injury time.

United fans have become accustomed to seeing many of the Reds’ budding young stars on show when the Carling Cup comes round, but with a number of first team squad members needing to sharpen up their match fitness, Sir Alex opted for a mix of youth and experience in his starting line-up. There were debuts for goalkeeper Ben Amos and striker Danny Welbeck, as well as first competitive starts for full-back Rafael da Silva and midfielder Rodrigo Possebon. United’s eldest statesman Ryan Giggs skippered the side, which also featured a host of first team regulars including Cristiano Ronaldo – starting his first game of the campaign, Nemanja Vidic and Anderson.

United started the brighter with Giggs and Ronaldo looking particularly menacing, the former almost fashioning a 3rd minute opening for the onrushing Welbeck with a right wing centre. But Brad Jones was alert to the danger and came out to punch clear.

It took the visitors 10 minutes to muster any kind of attack as Afonso Alves – a scorer of two debut goals against the Reds back in April – bore down on goal. Wes Brown ensured he would go no further, but Alves’ effort from the resulting free-kick was blocked by the wall.

A minute or so later, Nani stung the palms of Brad Jones with a fizzing effort. The Portuguese winger then clipped a near-post effort wide after some excellent interchanging between United’s attackers.

More neat interplay involving Welbeck, Ronaldo and Giggs let to a corner and a subsequent opening goal for the Reds on 25 minutes. And it was a familiar name on the scoresheet as Ronaldo held off the attentions of Didier Digard to power home Giggs’ inswinger.

The Reds almost doubled their lead three minutes later after a marauding run from Anderson down the left. Ronaldo was unable to reach his low centre, but the lively Welbeck was waiting at the back post. Jones did well to save with his feet and only some desperate Boro defending averted the danger after Anderson had been given a second chance to cross.

The game had developed into a lively encounter with the Reds dominating proceedings. But with Stewart Downing in their side, Boro still posed a threat from set-pieces and it was the England winger’s left wing centre which saw Reds’ stopper Ben Amos called into action for the first team as he dived to his left to claim David Wheater’s goalbound header.

A brilliant backheel from Rafael into the path of Welbeck, who slipped the ball to Ronaldo almost led to a second United goal just before the break, but Jones parried the winger’s fiercely struck low effort.

Jones was called upon immediately after the restart, saving well from Welbeck after the striker got on the end of John O’Shea ball over the top.

The Boro stopper stooped low to his right to grasp Nani’s 53rd minute shot after coming inside from the left wing. The Portuguese international should have done better soon after when he had the chance to put either Welbeck or Ronaldo through on goal, but overhit his pass.

It was all United, but out of the blue Boro drew level through substitute Adam Johnson on 56 minutes. Gary O’Neill’s high ball into the area was headed clear by Vidic, but only to the feet of Johnson whose first time volley bounced and bobbled past Wes Brown and crept inside Amos’ right-hand post.

It was a blow for United, but worse was to follow for the Reds when they lost Rodrigo Possebon after a shocking lunge from Boro skipper Emanuel Pogatetz which earned him a red card. A gaping wound displayed the external damage to Possebon’s right leg, but there was clearly more to it than that as the clearly distressed Brazilian lay in tears and had to be given oxygen before he was stretchered off.

A stunned and concerned Old Trafford erupted ten minutes from time when Ryan Giggs took full advantage of substitute Chris Riggott’s slip and nonchalantly clipped the ball over Jones.

The skipper went close to adding what would have been a brilliant third three minutes later, but Wheater was on hand to head his flicked shot off the line.

Tevez, Gibson and late sub Manucho – making his United debut – saw efforts go begging in the closing stages, before Nani took advantage of another defensive howler from the visitors and slotted home the Reds’ third in the prolonged period of injury time.

Team line-ups

UNITED: Amos; Rafael, Brown, Vidic, O’Shea; Nani, Anderson, Possebon (Gibson 69), Giggs © (Manucho 84); Ronaldo (Tevez 61), Welbeck.

Subs not used: Zieler, Cleverley, Gray, Eckersley.

BORO: Jones; Hoyte, Wheater, Pogatetz ©, Taylor; O’Neil, Digard (Riggott 69), Shawky (Johnson 46), Downing; Alves (Emnes 84), Aliadiere.

Subs not used: Turnbull, Arca, Walker, Craddock

Booked: Johnson. Sent off: Pogatetz

Attendance: 53,729