Aldershot 0-3 Manchester United - Match Report

Manchester United comfortably beat Aldershot Town at the Recreation Ground tonight to proceed to the quarter finals of the Carling Cup. In a completely changed line-up to the humiliating derby defeat at Old Trafford on Sunday, goals from Dimitar Berbatov, Michael Owen and Antonio Valencia sealed progression. Sir Alex Ferguson's men start the brightest, unsurprisingly, and pressed Aldershot high up the pitch making it hard for the home side to keep possession. Aldershot winger McGlashan looked lively for Town throughout but was man marked by the United defence for much of the match. Tom Cleverly, who has now returned from injury, had a long-range effort go way over the crossbar on 6 minutes, not worrying ex Charlton keeper Worner in the slightest. Aldershot forward Hylton went on a mazy run down the left flank before being fouled by Man Utd centre-half Nemanja Vidic, the Serbian picked up a yellow card as a result of his bad tackle. Aldershot wasted the free-kick. But it didn't take long for United to break the deadlock and open the scoring. Vidic curled a long ball over the top into Diouf on the wing. The Senegalese international layed it off for Park Ji Sung who exchanged a quick one-two with Cleverly, the Korean then carried on into the penalty box and set up Dimitar Berbatov who drilled the ball into the corner with his left foot. The goal bringing a broad smile to the Bulgarian's face. On 17 minutes Berbatov, who was involved with much of the evening's action, had a penalty claim turned down. The 32-year-old looked to have been clipped by Jones of Aldershot from behind but the referee thought otherwise and waved play on. A furious Berbatov stumbled back onto his feet shaking his head. The Red Devils continued to dominate as Brazillian left-back Fabio had a shot blocked. He ran through onto a ball from Tom Cleverly, who pulled the strings for United in midfield, and had a right foot shot desperatley blocked by Greneda international Straker of Aldershot. Still 1-0 Man Utd. McGleash, the lively and pacy right winger, had a shot on the 30th minute mark that again, did not trouble young Ben Amos in the Manchester United goal. A scare for the Man Utd defence, though, as he was aloud to run inside and pull the trigger far too easily. Aldershot started to go more route one with around 10 minutes left until half-time. Aldershot forward Rankine had two chances just before the break. His first a header that dragged wide of Amos's post and his second a long-range effort that deflected off Phil Jones. Michael Owen, who scored twice against Leeds last time out in the Carling Cup for Man Utd, scored on 41 minutes to put the visitors 2-0 infront. A typical Owen finish just outside the six-yard-box. A miserable looking Kris Machala, the Aldershot chairman, looked on as his side struggled to create much against a solid Man Utd team in the first period. 2-0 Manchester United at the break courtsey of a Dimitar Berbatov strike early on and a Michael Owen not long after. Man Utd started the second half very well indeed. Ecuador international Valencia curled in a shot on 48 minutes to put United 3-0 infront. Tom Cleverly providing the assist. Valencia deserved his goal, he was impressive throughout. A dull 10 minutes followed. Paul Pogba came on for Alex Ferguson's men on 58 minutes. The big French defensive midfielder also appeared in their match against Leeds and has been described by Ferguson as "one to watch out for". Big words from a big coach. A very boring and dull second-half, really. Uneventful and predictable. Aldershot striker Bubb, who came on as a sub, had a strike late on that just slipped wide of Amos's right post. A very comfortable Manchester United side retained possession well, scored a hat-trick of goals and commanded the game as we all thought they would. Credit to Aldershot, it's no disgrace to lose to the English champions. They played some decent stuff at times and manager Holdsworth should be content and satisfied with his team's display throughout the 90 minutes. Final Score: Aldershot Town 0-3 Manchester United.