English League Cup third round / Leeds United 2 Manchester United 3: Rio Ferdinand is expected to be charged today over the infamous drugs test that never was but whatever action the Football Association takes and whatever controversy it stirs, Manchester United will agree their problems are minimal when compared to those of their hosts last night.
Announcing record financial losses is one thing, but it is the impoverished state of the team that will most gall Leeds supporters.
That they had to endure the agonies of extra-time was symptomatic of the day, not least because David Bellion had been offside before scoring the goal that brought about the additional 30 minutes. The decisive moment, Eric Djemba-Djemba's winner, also carried a sizable element of fortune.
Roque Junior's first goal for Leeds had given the home side the lead but Ferguson's team, minus Ferdinand, emerged as the stronger. Diego Forlan's close-range finish appeared to have settled the tie in their favour before Roque Junior scored his second of the night, only to be trumped with two minutes remaining.
Ferguson has problems of his own, albeit of a different nature. Putting aside the Ferdinand affair and Paul Scholes's groin operation, the Old Trafford manager has become so perturbed by the slump in Cristiano Ronaldo's form he did not include him in the squad, citing fatigue. There was plenty for Ferguson to ponder as he concluded his two-match ban in the VIP seats.
Ferguson made six changes to the already-watered-down team who capitulated against Fulham of Saturday, and apart from a couple of shaky moments involving John O'Shea there was a definite improvement compared to the lethargy that had consumed them at the weekend.
Leeds had made four changes themselves, although one of these had been forced upon Peter Reid when Mark Viduka injured his back yesterday morning.
That meant a recall for Michael Bridges, but with Leeds taking the match more seriously than their opponents, the gulf in status between the clubs was seldom evident in the first half.
Its most notable moment was a brief spat involving Alan Smith on one side, Gary Neville and Nicky Butt on the other, than anything of attacking note.
Leeds had been marginally the better side and Smith had the ball in the net soon after the restart, following up after Roy Carroll had spilled Seth Johnson's shot. To the crowd's intense irritation, Smith was correctly ruled offside.
Quinton Fortune then conceded a corner when it was clear Ian Harte's cross was going out and, with the defenders ballwatching, Roque Junior headed in Johnson's centre. Then it was Bellion's turn to have a goal ruled out for offside but, crucially, the linesman's flag stayed down when it should have gone up 12 minutes from the end of normal time. On that occasion Bellion kept his nerve to run on to Djemba-Djemba's pass and score.
LEEDS UTD: Robinson, Kelly, Camara, Roque Junior, Harte, Milner, Seth Johnson, Olembe (Lennon 59), Sakho (Chapuis 80), Smith, Bridges (Domi 71). Subs Not Used: Carson, Duberry. Booked: Smith. Goals: Roque Junior 49, 114.
MANCHESTER UTD: Carroll, Phil Neville, Gary Neville, O'Shea, Fortune, Fletcher (Johnson 112), Butt, Djemba-Djemba, Richardson (Eagles 64), Bellion, Forlan. Subs Not Used: Howard, Pugh, Lynch. Booked: Phil Neville, Gary Neville.Goals: Bellion 78, Forlan 108, Djemba-Djemba 117.
Referee: P Durkin (Dorset).
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Arsenal 1 Rotherham1
(AET. Arsenal win 9-8 on penalties)
Arsenal beat Rotherham 9-8 on penalties at Highbury last night to stumble into the fourth round of the League Cup. Arsenal took the lead in the 12th minute through Jeremie Aliadiere, who side-footed home. But, with just 35 seconds of normal time remaining, Rotherham's Darren Byfield headed home from point-blank range to force extra-time.
