Source: Daily_Mail
Barnsley 0 United 2: Deadly Owen delivers a telling England reminder
Manchester United don't seem to be able to get through a game without some controversy at the moment but a red card for captain Gary Neville wasn't enough to derail the holders' serene progress.[LNB]Neville was sent off with a little less than half an hour remaining at Oakwell for a challenge on Barnsley's Adam Hammill. With his team leading 2-0 and the game effectively over, it was odd to see Neville slide in with his studs high. It may or may not have been malicious, but it was certainly reckless.[LNB] Pure delight: Michael Owen scored United's second goal at Oakwell[LNB] [LNB]Nevertheless, this was a game that United always looked like winning and an early goal from 18-year-old Danny Welbeck and a second-half effort - described as 'fantastic' by Sir Alex Ferguson - from the steadily improving Michael Owen were enough to land a place in the last eight. [LNB]Having beaten Tottenham in last season's final, it seems United's second string would like to return to the national stadium again. This was a hungry and energetic performance against a Barnsley side that started nervously but grew in confidence sufficiently to keep United honest and watchful right to the end. [LNB]Ferguson said: 'Barnsley worked very hard and put in a lot of effort, and they had one or two chances after we went down to 10 men. But, overall, we deserved to win the game and I'm delighted with the response from the players. Owen's goal was fantastic. It was a marvellous finish.' [LNB]Having lost painfully to rivals Liverpool at the weekend, this was never going to be a night to heal raw wounds. Yet it served to remind those present that the Barclays Premier League champions do have enviable strength in depth.[LNB] [LNB] Perfect start: Danny Welbeck celebrates scoring United's opener[LNB] [LNB] [LNB]Having left most of his established players back in Manchester, Ferguson was still able to field internationals from England, Ireland, Brazil and France and it was the debutant Gabriel Obertan who provided much of United's early impetus. [LNB]Having missed the opening weeks of the season with injury, the £3million summer signing from Bordeaux epitomised United's eager approach and his one-two with Neville earned United the corner from which they took the lead in the sixth minute.[LNB]Anderson sent the ball to the near post and Welbeck rose to head the opening goal past former club-mate Luke Steele at the near post. [LNB]With Mark Robins's team looking scared of their own shadows, United could have won the game in the first 15 minutes as Anderson landed a superb long pass on Welbeck's shoelaces only for Steele to block. And then Owen played in Obertan with a cute ball to prompt a similar save from close range.[LNB] Seeing red: Gary Neville was sent off[LNB] [LNB]But the home team came into the game and half time arrived with Barnsley captain Stephen Foster having hit the bar with a header. [LNB]For all their attacking play, United were again a little vulnerable in the air. It is something Ferguson and his staff are yet to put right this season. [LNB]In the second half, Barnsley were impressive. Forwards such as Daniel Bogdanovic, Hugo Colace and substitute Iain Hume troubled United with their pace and movement. Nevertheless, the second goal came quickly after the break and it went to United.[LNB]Joker: A Barnsley fan invades the pitch and 'scores' as Ben Foster looks on[LNB]Owen, who had struggled to be involved, was first to react to a ball played through to the penalty area in the 59th minute and his finish - with his right foot - was terrific and reminiscent of his salad days. [LNB]England manager Fabio Capello could not have failed to have been impressed by the man who has caused so much personal torment. [LNB]That really should have been that but Neville's moment of over-exuberance four minutes later served only to encourage Barnsley and they could have made things uncomfortable for United had they taken one of four chances. [LNB]Hume, Bogdanovic, Hammill and substitute Jacob Butterfield all worried goalkeeper Ben Foster, the latter bringing a fine save from the England international as he dropped smartly to his left to stop a shot with his arm. [LNB]Ultimately it was United's night, and deservedly so. There was, however, plenty of promise from Barnsley and boss Robins will take encouragement from that. He said: 'We showed them too much respect early on and were on the back foot. [LNB]'But we made 17 chances and that's great. It was just a shame we didn't take one.'[LNB]BARNSLEY (4-4-2): Steele; Kozluk, Moore, Foster, Gray; Anderson de Silva (Campbell- Ryce 71min), Hallfredsson, Colace (Butterfield 77), Hammill; Macken (Hume 65), Bogdanovic. Booked: Anderson, Colace. MAN UTD (4-4-2): Foster; Neville, Evans, Brown, Fabio; Welbeck (Tosic 54), Anderson, Rafael, Obertan; Macheda, Owen (DeLaet 65). Booked: Evans. Sent off: Neville. Man of the match: Gabriel Obertan. Referee: Chris Foy.[LNB] CARLING CUP LIVE: All the action from the fourth round - as it happens Manchester United on red alert as Valencia hint at sale of Spanish stars Villa and SilvaMANCHESTER UNITED FC
