United Progress

Barnsley 0 - Manchester United 2
Scorers
Manchester United: Welbeck (6), Owen (59)

Red Card
Manchester United: Neville (63)

Team: Foster, Brown, Neville, Evans, Rafael, Fabio, Anderson, Welbeck (Tosic 53), Obertan, Macheda, Owen (De Laet 65)

What a refreshing change from the weekend game. The youngsters who played today did themselves proud compared to the group at Anfield. Debutant, Obertan, seems like a good enough player. He's quick, neat and tidy. He certainly looks good enough for Le Championnat, and I'm surprised he's not been featured much there. Nevertheless, he still has some ways to go before breaking into the first team with us. Especially since his direct rival on the right flank is Valencia.

The other young ones didn't look too bad either. We all know Macheda's exploits last season, but he really looks like one who will progress the most. He's big, strong, quick and exceptionally skillful. Most importantly, he's an intelligent player. He looks like one of those typical Italian strikers who can hold the ball, take on his man and make the smart pass or layoff to a teammate. Based on his game today, I think he's ready to step up to the first team on a regular basis. Our regulars upfront look stale and it's time to let some of our youngsters have a go.

Our porn brothers, Rafael and Fabio, are getting there too. The only problem is that they seem to play at one pace. Similar to Tosic. There are times during the game where I was literally screaming at them to slow it down, look for a teammate instead of charging towards the opponent half at full throttle. A case of more haste less speed with them.

Welbeck's progress is coming along too. He's a tad bit selfish at times, but he's showing good instincts going forward and picking out teammates. He scored an early goal from a corner to put us in the lead.

Owen scored our second with a sweet run after Anderson stole the ball from a Barnsley throw-in. Then Neville got himself sent off with a dangerous challenge. Although he clearly won the ball, his follow thru was high and extremely dangerous. Had the opponent stuck out his foot, it probably would have snapped just below the knee.

We spent a large portion of the remaining 20 or so minutes watching Barnsley waste chance after chance. Foster had a couple of nervous moments at goal, and some of his decisions were questionable at best. If there was one thing he showed in today's game, it was that he's slowly working his way out of our future plans.

All in all, it was a credible result against a team with a giant-killing reputation. Our youngsters did really well and some of them really look good enough to step up to the first team if only the manager gives them a chance. I'm slightly curious about Gibson. I thought today would have been a good opportunity to have him in the game. With our dire situation in midfield we could have given him an ample chance to prove himself. It's not as if Scholes is going to get any younger or Carrick any better. I can only guess that he's injured.