Article by Mark Graham, Stats Nerd

Match Review
League Cup 3rd Round: Crewe Alexandra 1 v 2 Manchester United, Gresty Road, 20.00 Wednesday 25nd October 2006.
Goals Crewe Alexandra: Varney (72) Manchester United: Solskjaer (24), Lee (118)
Attendance: 10,046

It took the Reds until two minutes from the end of extra time to finally shrug off a Crewe side who took the United team to the max. SAF named five debutants in a side who probably deserved to lose. But as with the Nevilles, Scholes, Beckham and Butt did so long ago the Carling Cup was the forum to blood no34 Ryan Shawcross, no35 Kieran Lee, no36 David Gray, no41 Phillip Marsh and finally no42 Michael Barnes. The bench also had a youthful appearance with no43 Danny Rose the only outfield substitute not being used.

The Reds' back four included the inexperience Gray alongside Wes Brown and Mikael Silvestre at centre half and Gabby at left back. As RANT predicted, Maynard was the thorn in United's side and with partner - and eventual goal scorer - Varney, Brown and Silvestre were tortured most of the game.

As the game started to settle Crewe were awarded a free kick and from Ben Rix' tricky set piece delivery Polish 'keeper Thomas Kuszczak was called into action to tip over a superb header from Neil Cox. Crewe then found themselves with the ball in the back of United's net as Isacc Osbourne lashed a ferocious drive at the United 'keeper. In the greasy conditions the ball popped out of Kuszczak's hands for Varney to stroke home the ball, however the linesman had flagged for offside and United could breath a sigh of relief.

With a youthful looking United side fielded for this game it was the oldest head who delivered the goods as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer put in a MOTM performance, as well as firing United in the lead. He was head and shoulders ahead of any United player on the pitch, running into the box after some fine wing play by Ritchie Jones to strike a perfect ball past ex-Red Ben Williams for an unexpected goal against the run of play.

Williams would again be involved seconds later as United almost doubled their through Kieran Richardson who blasted a volley goalbound only for Williams to tip the drive onto the bar and over for a corner.

Both Rix and Varney would have shots on goal before half time but both efforts resulted in no equaliser

The second half, much like the first, was dominated by the home side and their work rate paid off on 77 minutes as Varney scored from 15 yards to bring the game level at 1-1.

With seven minutes left United looked to have won the match as Kieran Richardson was put through one-on-one with Williams only for the England International to beat the on-rushing 'keeper but see his effort strike the post.

The game then moved into extra time with both teams creating chances.

Jon Otsemobor could have won it late for Crewe but Kuszczak showed why SAF bought him in the summer.

Finally with two minutes to go one of United's debutants demonstrated why football can be so cruel. A counter from the Reds saw Alan Smith deliver a perfect pass to the on-rushing fullback Lee who showed patience and composure when beating Ben Williams to send United into the next round.

A special mention to Crewe and their fans who did not deserve defeat and were the better side by a long way. Well done and good luck

Player Ratings
Kuszczak (7); Gray (7), Brown (4), Silvestre (4), Heinze (6); Marsh (6), D.Jones (6), R.Jones (5), Richardson (5); Smith (5), Solskjaer (8).
Subs Used: Barnes (6) for Marsh (46 mins), Lee (7) for Gray (77 mins), Shawcross (5) for Barnes (103 mins).
Subs not used: Heaton, Rose.

United's Man of the Match
20LEGEND was the hub of most of United's attacking play and creativity. He took his goal superbly.

Rants Reaction
Crewe deserved a draw at the very least. Their work rate and attacking play deserved more with even SAF seemed very humble in his shaking of Dario Gradi's hand at the end. Wes Brown was a big let down with a very poor performance and was tortured all game. Richard Jones was also poor as well as being greedy when other options were available. Keiran Richardson, meanwhile, needs to be!

Was Rant's Prediction Right?
We said 3-0. United Rant 3 v 10 Wrong Predictions.

Milestones
OGS's 6th League Cup goal of his United career and 121st goal overall for the Reds
Kieran Lee's 1st goal for United
OGS is now tied with Andrew Cole on 121 career goals for United

Miscellaneous Info
United's next match is on Saturday 28th October 2006 against Bolton Wanderers in the Premiership at The Reebok with a 15.00 kick off