Welbeck Sends United Thru

Manchester United 1 - Wolves 0
Scorer
Manchester United: Welbeck (66)

Red Card: Fabio (30)

Team: Kuszczak, Evans, Brown, Neville, Fabio, Carrick, Gibson, Welbeck (King 81), Nani, Macheda (De Laet 30), Owen (Valencia 69)

Ferguson made wholesale changes from the team that beat Shitty at the weekend. Owen was rewarded with a starting lineup and he played a pivotal role in the only goal scored in the game. His smart one-two allowed Welbeck to spin free of the Wolves defense and send the ball wide of the keeper and into the net.

It was not an easy game with 11 new faces and the going got tougher when Fabio was sent off for a professional foul half an hour into the game. It was a smart foul as the Wolves player was running in on goal, but it left us with 10 men for the entire duration of the game. Macheda was sacrificed for De Laet to fill in the gap at left back.

Large portions of the game was played in our half and outstanding performances from our defenders and poor finishing from Wolves kept the game level. Brown, De Laet and Evans had incredible games, working their socks off the keep the opponents at bay.

Nani is beginning to realise his potential. He had oodles of skill but still lacks the crucial-decision making to make it count. Once he gains that, hopefully, thru experience, we could very be looking at the second coming of the departed Ronaldo.

I thought Gibson outshone Carrick today. I've always felt Gibson doesn't have what it takes to make the cut at Old Trafford and I'm officially going to take it all back. He's a fighter and never gives up on anything. It's pleasing to know that we have quality and talent on the bench when we need it.

I'm also pleased with the progress of Welbeck. He's matured since returning from the Euro U19 tournament during the summer. The debutant, Joshua Kings, looks like a good prospect too. He was a little too selfish on a couple of occasions, but generally looked like a pretty good player.

It's a bit of a shame that we didn't see many youngsters unlike previous years. Looks like we're giving this cup a decent run with many familar names. With a bit of luck we may just retain it for another season.