Scunthorpe 2 Manchester United 5

The first competitive fixture between the two clubs saw United cruise into the last sixteen with an emphatic 5-2 win at Glandford Park.

As expected, Sir Alex, who was absent from the game scouting in Spain, United field a much changed side to the one that had beaten Liverpool 3-2, the previous weekend.

Team - Kuszczak, Brown, Ferdinand, Smalling, Rafael, Gibson, Anderson, Park, Hernandez, Owen, Macheda

Subs - Van der Sar, O`Shea, De Laet, Evans C, Eikrem, Obertan, Bebe

The game, played in front of a vociferous home crowd, started well for Scunthorpe with the home team pressing United back with some industrious football. Josh Wright had an early chance putting a volley just wide of Kuszczak`s post. Soon after, the keeper was forced to beat away a drive from Eddie Nolan.

Nineteen minutes into the half the unexpected happened with Scunthorpe taking the lead through Josh Wright. Woodford ran at the United defence, down the left, cut inside and provided a great ball for Wright to drill home.

Scunthorpe 1-0 Manchester United (Wright) 19 mins

Thankfully, for united, the lead was to last a mere four minutes with Darron Gibson netting the equaliser. The goal was fashioned with a long ball over the top from Smalling and Gibson, from a difficult angle, lifted the ball over Murphy in the Scunthorpe goal for a classy goal.

Scunthorpe 1-1 Manchester United (Gibson) 23 mins

Our hosts could have re-taken the lead almost immediately but Byrne headed over at the back post when well placed.

With thirty-six minutes completed, United edged ahead when Smalling got his first goal in United colours, the goal coming after a move involving Brown and Park with Smalling converting from close range.

Scunthorpe 1-2 Manchester United (Smalling) 36 mins

Our hosts never gave up hope though and for that they deserve credit, Forte almost equalised when Kuszczak almost parried the ball into his own net Thankfully; some back-spin on the ball prevented an embarrassing moment for the keeper.

United could have stretched their lead but Macheda could only head Hernandez excellent cross over the bar. Still Scunthorpe pushed forward and Nolan tested Kuszczak with a twenty-yard drive.

Half Time - Scunthorpe 1 United 2

United didn`t take long in putting the game virtually out of United`s reach in the second half; With just four minutes played Michael Owen netted. Owen raced onto a ball from Macheda and shooting past Murphy into the far corner.

Scunthorpe 1-3 Manchester United (Owen) 49 mins

Five minutes later, United further stretched their lead when Park netted. A corner was floated over, headed back across the goal by Owen for Park to drill a low shot, from sixteen yards, into the net.

Scunthorpe 1-4 Manchester United (Park) 54 mins

With twenty minutes to go Owen got his second of the game opening up a 5-1 lead after Park had seen a shot half-saved by the keeper only for Owen to tap-in the rebound.

Scunthorpe 1-5 Manchester United (Owen) 71 mins

All credit to Scunthorpe though who plugged away and reduced the deficit with a last minute goal from Woodford.

Scunthorpe 2-5 Manchester United (Woolford) 90 mins

United had made it through, quite comfortably!



Vital Man United on:

Vital Man United on:

Click here to join in the debate on the club forum.