Bruce still loved at Old Trafford

Man United 3 Blues 0 (nil)


Red Devils: Van der Sar, Neville, Ferdinand, Vidic, Silvestre, Ronaldo, O’Shea, Giggs (Fletcher 77), Richardson (Park 39), Rooney, Saha (van Nistelrooy 73).
Subs Not Used: Howard, Evra.
Goals: Giggs 3,15, Rooney 83.
Blues: Maik Taylor, Melchiot (Tebily 82), Cunningham, Latka, Lazaridis (Bruce 87), Jarosik, Clemence, Johnson, Pennant, Heskey (Kilkenny 87), Campbell. Subs Not Used: Vaesen, Forssell.
Booked: Latka, Jarosik, Pennant.
Att: 69,070
Ref: M Dean (Wirral).
If Blues cup tie was over in 55 seconds then this miss-match with Manchester United took three minutes to decided.
A dubious free kick was awarded to United after their first foray into Blues half. In spite of the three Giants in the wall protecting Maik Taylor Giggs got his kick up and over the wall superbly. Taylor managed to tip the ball onto the post but it rebounded on his back into the net.
Blues last visit to Old Trafford for a while got worse when Rooney split the defence and Giggs added a second as he netted unchallenged on 15 minutes.
Heskey who at least made the United defence work fo a living had a header tured away in the first half and a weak shot fron Campbell was fielded by Van de Sar.
Rooney should have added another couple before half time when he raced clear only for his weaker left foot let him down and his shots missed the target.
After half time Blues had a lot of possession Rooney ran onto a through ball and netted seconds after Heskey had Blues best chance but skied over from 15 yards.
Blues managed to cause panic fron a corner late on but could not force the ball over from eighteen inches. The ball came out to Clemence whose rasping drive was turned away by Van de Sar who risked his mahood protecting his goal.
Another injury to ad to the list as Melchiot limped off with a groin strain.
Notably David Dunn who had not been mentioned as being any doubt for this game was not in the squad. Why, is anyone?s guess. Mr Bruce?s determination to keep his side secret is futile if he is going to put out sides like this.
Any sign that Blues are remotely interested in avoiding the drop was not evident in this display.