With Ronaldo back in the squad and Tevez starting upfront instead of the injured Berbatov, predictions were that Derby County will suffer from a flurry of goals.

However, if United could boast of a 3-0 FA Cup win four days before, Derby’s confidence was also lifted by their miraculous 4-3 victory which thus took them through to the last 32 of the FA Cup.

Last year, the former Premier League club lost narrowly by a 75th minute Cristiano Ronaldo volley to nil, which inflicted more worries to their poor record in the EPL.

Since 1962, Derby County have never ever reached the final of a major tournament, and their hunger to be a step closer to qualifying for the final of the Carling was certainly bigger than ever.

Steve Davies missed two great opportunities to break the deadlock for the home side but Kris Commons did not miss moments later. His shot 25 yards from goal stunned the visitors; the Championship club were then 1-0 up against the recently crowned World Champions on 30 minutes.

Ronaldo came very close to equalize 15 minutes from time with a long range free-kick. But it was never enough to overcome the nightmare of loosing away to Derby.

The referee’s blow at the end of the 90 minutes came at the relief of the home supporters; their club have recorded arguably the greatest Giant killing of the year so far.

Manchester United will have some work to do later on when they host opponents Derby for the second leg of the semi-final clash.

Written by: Angela Asante.

The flurry of goals:

There were no goals in the first thirty minutes until Giggs’ free-kick was powerfully headed home by Carlos Tevez aka ‘the bull’ as I call him. The goal scorer then played a wonderful one-two with Nani who buried the ball at the back of the net to double Man United’s lead.

Early in the second half, Benny McCarthy pulled one back for the visitors only for Tevez to widen the gap once more from the penalty spot.
The argentine completed his hat-trick in a cool way, driving Anderson’s square ball across the goal line.
Blackburn Rovers thought they could offer their manager Paul Ince a bit of relief when they score was 4-3 with some minutes left in the game.

However, it was Carlos Tevez who got the last word: He slaughtered the ball with a wicked shot from 20 yards to kill any chances of a Blackburn comeback.

After the match, his manager Alex Ferguson was full of praise for him. Perhaps this will give him the opportunity to be in Man United’s starting line up for the upcoming matches.

Well, this victory means that the Red Champions continue their formidable home record this season. They are the only team from the big 4 to survive in this competition. Manchester United complete the semi-finals line up with titleholders Tottenham who beat Watford, Derby County who beat Stoke City and Burnley who wrote off Arsenal 2-0 after disqualifying last year’s finalists Chelsea.

Written by: Angela Asante.

After correcting Marc Hughes, the Scottish boss meets Paul Ince’s side who lie second from bottom in the Premiership standings. A win for them in the Carling Cup against Ferguson’s Reds will not only avenge them from the 2-0 defeat the suffered against Man U in the league some weeks ago, but it will also be a good relief for Paul Ince who has not tasted victory in over 4 games.

Manchester United haven’t won the Carling Cup since 2006 and for the third year in succession, the Reds will try to come out of this competition victorious.

Written by: Angela Asante

Chelsea suffered a shock defeat in the hands of Championship side Burnley, while Tottenham kicked out Liverpool’s second choice squad 4-2.

But Manchester United remain in the running after seeing off QPR thanks to a 76th minute Tevez penalty. The Red Champions escaped the risk of meeting Wenger’s wonder kids in the last 8 but they still face Premier League opposition: Paul Ince’s Blackburn.

Man United haven’t won the Carling Cup for a while. This year is therefore the perfect opportunity for youngsters like Danny Welbeck, Rodrigo Possebon, or even Rafael Da Silva, to prove to Fergie how grown they now are by bringing the League Cup back at Old Trafford.

Written by: Angela Asante

Manchester United broke their goal-scoring crisis on Tuesday night in a dramatic encounter at home to Middlesbrough.

Fergie filled his side of young talents but Cristiano Ronaldo was one of the few big names in the squad to play as a starter.

The Portuguese talisman opened the score line at the 25th minute to put his side ahead at half time. But Gareth’s Middlesbrough fought back to equalize ten minutes into the second half through A. Johnson.

At that point in time, the Reds were in danger of suffering yet another embarrassing result but when Pogatetz was sent off for a nasty foul on Rodrigo Possebon, Middlesbrough lost the momentum, and Man United took the advantage.

Ryan Giggs gave Manchester United the lead with eleven minutes left of normal time; the Red Devils could celebrate their first second goal in a match this season.

Gareth’s side never looked like equalizing to push the game into extra time. Instead, it was Ronaldo’s Portuguese compatriot, Nani, who sealed the win with a 90th minute goal.

Manchester United has qualified in the last 16 of the Carling Cup, and this win has raised everyone’s confidence to a higher level.

The EPL defending Champions meet Bolton in the league on Saturday afternoon.

Written by: Angela Asante