Red Devils ease past Barnsley

HOLDERS Manchester United booked their place in the quarter-finals of the Carling Cup but for the second time in three days finished with ten men.

Gary Neville was sent off in the second half at Oakwell, following on from fellow defender Nemanja Vidic in the defeat by Liverpool on Sunday.

Neville’s dismissal was the only downside for the Red Devils who secured their passage thanks to goals from Danny Welbeck and Michael Owen, his third of the season.

Ferguson named a completely different starting XI to the one at Anfield and the youngsters rose to the challenge against Barnsley.

Up against former Old Trafford striker Mark Robins, now Barnsley manager, United needed only five minutes to make the breakthrough.

It was Welbeck who made his mark just as he did in the last round when he scored the winner against Wolves.

He was allowed a free header when Anderson delivered a corner and took advantage with a clinical finish.

Welbeck almost added a second five minutes later following a superb ball over the top from Anderson.

However goalkeeper Luke Steele prevented his side going two down by making a marvellous block.

With only one goal separating the teams, Barnsley were by no means out of it. But there was disbelief around the ground when Daniel Bogdanovic’s ball across the face of the goal was not picked up.

Owen then squandered a good chance in the 48th minute, scuffing a shot wide after being set up by Welbeck.

But he showed his class to make it 2-0 on 59 minutes, clipping the ball past the keeper after getting between Stephen Foster and Darren Moore.

However United were reduced to ten men in the 63rd minute when Neville was handed a straight red by referee Chris Foy for clattering into the back of Hammill.

Neville looked stunned at seeing his time on the pitch come to a premature end.

Anderson then twice came close in quick succession to pulling a goal back for Barnsley but both his headers were wayward.

Two Barnsley fans ran on to the pitch in the closing stages, but their foolhardy act did little to detract from the fact that United’s second string were simply too good for Robins’ side.