Questionable as to whether Timmy starts or not in this third-round knockout tie, although Roy Carroll could get the call to start. If that's the case, then Timmy earns a rest. Haven't seen anything about whether Sir Alex Ferguson would rest any regulars or to whatever extent, so I will start the thread while under the assumption that Timmy's starting. Kickoff is slated for 11:30 a.m. PT/2:30 p.m. ET, or thereabouts. Will verify this... Broadcast-wise, Man Utd's site is now on an annual pay basis, not sure about Leeds', although I'd presume that they wouldn't be any different. News roundup forthcoming...
The BBC says (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/league_cup/3204813.stm) that Man Utd.'s squad for the game is: Carroll, P Neville, Pugh, Tierney, O'Shea, Fortune, Butt, Djemba-Djemba, Fletcher, Scholes, van Nistelrooy, Giggs, Ronaldo, Bellion, Forlan, Steele, Richardson, Eagles. Looks like Howard has the night off.
* * *News briefs* * * From Man Utd's site, "Fergie: I'll field fringe players against Leeds" (admitting that Carroll may very well get the call over Howard for the Carling Cup tie): http://www.manutd.com/news/fullstory.sps?iNewsid=45628&itype=466&icategoryid=120 Also from manutd.com, "Giggs issues rallying cry to team-mates": http://www.manutd.com/membership/splash.sps?itype=4268&icustompageid=8232 From sportinglife.com, "United eye Carling Cup run": http://www.sportinglife.com/footbal...soccer/03/10/27/SOCCER_Man_Utd_Nightlead.html Team news from the BBC's site: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/league_cup/3204813.stm Preview, from Soccernet: http://soccernet.espn.go.com/preview?id=129279&cc=3436 Should also add that while Man Utd had a bye until the 3rd round of this competition by virtue of playing in the Champions League, Leeds advanced 4-3 on penalties against Swindon Town after a 2-2 draw at Elland Road.
Not that I can blame Ferguson for doing that. He's traditionally rested his better players in League Cup games, and especially the early-round contests. No worries, Howard will be back for United against Portsmouth at the weekend.
from the manu site "it’s pretty safe to assume that some of United’s bigger stars will not be putting in an appearance. United have considerably bigger fish to fry (that’s the competition, not Leeds United), over the next few weeks – Rangers (UEFA Champions League) and Liverpool (Premiership) – to name but two, so it would be shock of gargantuan proportions if the likes of Tim Howard, Rio Ferdinand, Roy Keane, Ruud van Nistelrooy and Ryan Giggs et al were to trot out into the chill Yorkshire air tonight." other news about Howard "Tim Howard has received a timely boost after Saturday's Old Trafford disappointment against Fulham.The American international has topped a ManUtd.com readers' poll for man-of-the-match in the 3-1 defeat after keeping the visitors at bay almost single-handedly at times.Howard registered 31% of the votes, while captain Ryan Giggs and goalscorer Diego Forlan were second and third with 18.5% and 18% respectively. " regarding Parma goalkeeper Sebastian Frey move here is what they have to say "with Tim Howard's impressive start to his Manchester United career continuing and Roy Carroll providing back-up, a move for Frey doesn't seem as feasible, nor likely, as it did at the end of last season." you can read all about it at the man u site
HALF TIME 0-0 Roy Carroll 13 Phil Neville 3 Gary Neville 2 John O'Shea 22 Nicky Butt 8 Eric Djemba-Djemba 19 Darren Fletcher 24 Quinton Fortune 25 Kieran Richardson 23 David Bellion 12 Diego Forlan 21
88th minute, it's 1-1, Bellion levels for Man Utd. Leeds' guilty of ball-watching in the back, according to the BBC's announcers.
LOL! All in all, sounds like poor defending by Leeds. Extra time will be played in this competition should scores remain level, no replays.
Side note, 17 year old Chris Eagles makes his debut for Manchester United in the 64th minute, subbing in for Kieran Richardson. Eagles has, unfairly, been called the 'next Beckham' by some.
Man Utd advance into the lead, after Diego Forlan scores two minutes into the seond stanza of extra time. 2-1 now.
Roque Junior gets his second, in the 114th minute, eight minutes after Forlan scored, to get Leeds level at 2-2. My apologies if I led on previously that this was a golden-goal extra time in this competition-- obviously, it isn't. And now Djemba-Djemba's scores, in the 117th minute, to put Man Utd back in front, 3-2.
Manchester United advance after extra time, 3-2. Djemba-Djemba gets the winner, and the Red Devils await the fourth round draw.
No worries, my pleasure, as always. Didn't think I'd be able to, but I forgot that with the time change, I can do this now, at the appropriate times.