Heartbreak at Old Trafford as City Go Out of League Cup

A dramatic night at Old Trafford unfortunately ended with the familiar script, as Wayne Rooney’s injury time winner gave United a 4-3 aggregate victory in the tie and a date with Aston Villa at Wembley.

Congratulations to United, who scored three good goals in the second half to earn their place. I really don’t have much complaint about City’s performance on the night, or the tactics deployed by Roberto Mancini. It was a game between two very even teams that in the end was decided by the player who at the moment is the best striker (English or otherwise) in England.

The first half went according to plan for City, who fielded three defensive-minded midfielders in De Jong, Barry, and Zabaleta and reduced United to very little attacking-wise in the first half. The scenario changed drastically after Paul Scholes’s goal equalized the tie (a few moments after Craig Bellamy was hit by a coin from the stands), as a spell of United pressure eventually led to the home side taking the lead on a neat finish by Carrick.

But Carlos Tevez popped up again to give City real hope with absolutely brilliant flicked goal to level the tie. City certainly were on the front foot most of the rest of the match, before two United corners resulted in first a point-blank header from Fletcher saved miraculously by Given, then Rooney’s goal a minute later.

In the end City perhaps paid the price for having to use Dedryck Boyata in central defense, the 19 year old few had heard of a month ago and now something of a regular in the side. He performed heroically on the night but in the end visibly wore down, and it was his marking that appeared to be at fault on the winner.

Still, if City had to lose, this was the fashion to do it–giving it a go, putting in a brave effort, showing real heart but also some quality. To be sure this is a huge disappointment and my sympathies all with all blues who were in the stadium Wednesday night. The good news though is that there is good reason to think City won’t have to wait very long to be back in a similar position–45 minutes away from Wembley–again. Quite likely, it might happen as soon as this year’s FA Cup campaign.

In the meantime, City must regain its focus and pick up needed points in the league. As to United, City get one more crack at their neighbors this season, in a league fixture on April 17.

Category: Team News