Goals from Wayne Rooney. Andreas Pereira and sub Anthony Martial saw Manchester United to a 3-0 Capital One Cup third round victory over the Blues at Old Trafford. Rooney put the home side in front in the 23rd minute, full debutant Pereira made it 2-0 with a freekick on the hour and Martial added the third in injury time.

Mick McCarthy switched his entire XI having indicated prior to the match that he planned to field a much-changed side with Saturday’s Championship game at home to Bristol City his greater priority.

Bartosz Bialkowski returned in goal with Jonny Parr making his first start of the season at left-back and Josh Emmanuel at right-back

Recent signing Piotr Malarczyk made his full Town debut at the centre of the defence alongside Josh Yorwerth.

In midfield, Kevin Bru partnered Giles Coke in the centre with Jay Tabb on the left and Tommy Oar making his Town debut on the right. Daryl Murphy, who skippered, and David McGoldrick were up front.

There was no Dean Gerken on the bench - Michael Crowe was the sub keeper - the former Colchester man having suffered minor ankle and groin injuries during Friday’s 1-1 draw with Birmingham.

In contrast to Town’s side, Manchester United named a very strong line-up including Rooney, Bastian Schweinsteiger, David de Gea and Juan Mata, although recent signing Anthony Martial was on the bench.

Town survived a second-minute Mata freekick from just outside the area, Pereira hitting the post after the ball had been nodded back across the area, but having already gone out of play.

At the other end, Parr was played on the left but de Gea was out quickly to claim at his feet, while the linesman’s flag had already been raised.

United started to move the ball around confidently and in the sixth minute Pereira hit a low shot which Bialkowski claimed low down.

Blues debutant Oar made an impressive break down the right in the eighth minute, cutting the ball back to McGoldrick, who was crowded out and eventually conceded a foul.

The home team and players claimed a penalty in the ninth minute when Antonio Valencia’s attempted cross struck Coke on the hand. Referee Simon Hooper waved away the protests but plenty of other officials might well have pointed to the spot.

Pereira scuffed wide from distance in the 12th minute with the Red Devils inevitably having most of the ball but with Town so far remaining resolute at the back and making the occasional break forward. On 18 Ashley Young lashed wildly over from distance.

Blues keeper Bialkowski had been relatively untroubled aside from Pereira’s low strike but in the 23rd minute the home side went in front.

Daley Blind played a ball from the back, Rooney got in behind Malarczyk and shook off the Polish defender before firing past Bialkowski.

Three minutes later, with the 4,500-plus Town fans in the upper tier behind the goal United were attacking still making the most noise despite the goal, Young played a superb cross-field ball to Ander Herrera who under-hit a low volley to Bialkowski.

Having got their noses in front United were rarely allowing Town a touch of the ball. On 29 Mata struck a low effort but Bialkowski was equal to it.

A minute later the Blues’ Polish keeper was quickly off his line to claim ahead of Valencia as he sought to get on to Mata’s clever pass in behind Parr, then in the 32nd minute Mata cut a freekick back to the edge of the box and Blind took a touch before shooting against a defender.

Soon after, Yorwerth headed an Oar corner well wide after what had become a rare Blues foray forward.

In the 41st minute de Gea came out to claim ahead of McGoldrick as he slid in with Chris Smalling on the right of the area.

However, since the goal the Blues had been almost constantly pinned back in their half of the field, albeit without United having been able to create another clear-cut opportunity with Emmanuel having made a couple of important challenges on Pereira and Young inside the box.

As the fourth official held up his board indicating one additional minute, the Blues had their best chance of the half. McGoldrick fed Oar to his right and the Australian brought the ball inside before hitting a powerful shot not too far past de Gea’s right post.

Oar’s strike was the final action of a half unsurprisingly dominated by the home side but at 1-0 with the Blues still in the tie.

Manchester United had spent most of the half confidently passing and probing for gaps in the Town defence but with only Rooney’s well-taken goal to show for all their possession.

Blues chances were few and far between but as Oar’s late strike had almost illustrated it would take only one moment of magic or perhaps a mistake for Town to get back on terms.

The Blues started the second half brightly, McGoldrick flicking an early header wide from Coke’s left-wing cross. Moments later the Blues’ number 10 turned and sent a dangerous low ball across the United six-yard box but neither Murphy nor Tabb could reach it.

The Blues continued to have the better of the opening minutes and on 10, after an Oar freekick on the right, Tabb saw a strike blocked. United made heavy weather of clearing he danger and the ball was eventually returned to Oar, whose shot flew high and wide.

The home side began to regain control and in the 58th minute Valencia hit a powerful low strike which Bialkowski could only parry and Yorwerth cleared the danger.

And right on the hour, United doubled their lead. Bru was penalised for a foul on Mata not far outside the area and Pereira curled a freekick past the motionless Bialkowski and into the net.

Town immediately switched strikers McGoldrick and Murphy for Brett Pitman and Freddie Sears.

United having added to their lead the game returned to the pattern of the first half and on 65 Mata forced Bialkowski to tip over with a 25-yard strike. Five minutes later Phil Jones replaced Smalling and Martial took over from Mata.

Three minutes after being introduced Martial shot wide following a one-two with Rooney, then on 75 Larsen Touré took over from Tabb for the Blues with Oar moving to the left.

A minute later Yorwerth got his head to an Oar freekick from the right but could only direct it away from goal. Sears sent a low ball back in from the right but the danger was cleared. With nine minutes to go Rooney was replaced by Memphis.

On 83 Sears broke away but found his path blocked by a number of defenders so fed Touré to his right. The Guinean international cleverly picked out Pitman breaking into the area but Jones got a toe in to turn the ball behind.

De Gea claimed the corner and United immediately broke away, Parr upending Pereira and picking up the game’s first booking as a result.

Bialkowski was at his sharpest to save Pereira’s close-range deflected shot with his feet in the 87th minute after the ball had been cut back from the right.

In injury time Martial made it 3-0 when he was played in on goal by Memphis chesting into his path - perhaps when in an offside position - and slipped the ball past Bialkowski to net his fourth goal in four games.

The final whistle went soon after to end Town’s Capital One Cup run at the third round stage.

The Blues, who went over to applaud their large travelling army after the game, had battled gamely for the whole 90 minutes but inevitably were very much second best to their more illustrious opponents.

While an upset never really looked on the cards - Town failed to hit a shot on target - the much-changed line-up could be proud of their efforts.

What’s almost certain to be a very different Town XI will be in action at home to Bristol City in the Championship on Saturday afternoon.

Manchester United: De Gea, Valencia, Smalling (Jones 70), Blind, Young, Schweinsteiger, Herrera, Mata (Martial 70), Fellaini, Pereira, Rooney (c) (Memphis 81). Unused: Romero, Darmian, Carrick, Schneiderlin.

Town: Bialkowski, Emmanuel, Parr, Malarczyk, Yorwerth, Coke, Bru, Oar (Touré 75), Tabb, Murphy (c) (Pitman 61), McGoldrick (Sears 61). Unused: Chambers, Maitland-Niles, Kenlock, Crowe.

Photo: Action Images

ivegottheblues added 06:42 - Sep 24 Feel sorry for the supporters travelling all that way to watch a game in a competion in which we obviously have no interest.
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ivegottheblues added 06:42 - Sep 24 Feel sorry for the supporters travelling all that way to watch a game in a competion in which we obviously have no interest.
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essex57 added 07:21 - Sep 24 Well said Bluelady the most sensible post of the night
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itfcsince1974 added 07:47 - Sep 24 I drove up to the game and had a great day out. I cannot fault Mick's selections with our priority being the league, especially once the United line up was announced. I don't think we would have had any success whatever team we fielded. However, the lads who played gave a good account of themselves against opposition who are used to playing better players week in week out so in my opinion there was no disgrace in the result. Our travelling fans were magnificent, singing from start to finish, regardless of the goals going in. Unlike the United fans who were a disgrace and an embarrassment to there club and could hardly raise a cheer even when they scored. I had a good run home and got in about 0310. I hope everybody else made it home safely and is now looking forward to the real job this season, 3 points against Bristol on Saturday. COYB

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essex57 added 08:06 - Sep 24 Full respect itfcsince1974
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Surco72 added 08:11 - Sep 24 The team selection and result will only be justified if we get three points on Saturday . Otherwise it would have been nice to see what our first team could do against a premiership outfit , but then it may have highlighted our defensive weakness of our first choice players more ?
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Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 08:28 - Sep 24 Firstly, respect for the performance of both the team and the fans last night. We may not have won on the pitch, but we won on the terraces. However, I wonder about the general view that we put out our "reserves" last night. For a while now, I've been under the impression that while the squad is much stronger overall, our best first eleven is not obvious. What I mean is you could pretty much (ok - with a couple of exceptions) pick-and-mix eleven players from the squad and the level would not be that much different. This is obviously a good thing if we get injuries etc. later on in the season, but for me it raises 3 questions: 1) Is is disruptive to rotate - last year there wasn't much choice about which first eleven to put out, but maybe this increased "togetherness"? 2) Can we keep all the squad happy if they're not playing regularly? 3) If it is true we don't have a stable "first eleven," will the pick-and-mix approach produce a team of a good enough level to keep us in the Championship race? (I don't know the answers.) Discuss!

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addidasdays added 08:29 - Sep 24 Not sure if anyone has mentioned this but just for the record, Gerken was in goal last night, not Bialkowski.
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l12rdp added 08:31 - Sep 24 I was at the game last night and got in a 4 . Am this morning to then get up for work at 7.30. Then I read this well total disappointment from many of the travelling fans. The team sheet was a joke I think I can speak for the majority of fans who travelled we expected a stronger team than that to play even if man Utd had played a younger team. The mood was as if the towel was thrown before we even started. About the performance as a whole I was really impressed with some of the efforts of the players and the whole team really gave it their best. But we all at 7.00 pm felt beaten before we even started and after spending all that money and all that time . Read some of ya comments and for those who are judging from home you had a chance to switch off and ignore it and worry about Saturday.i also believe that if you have no interest in this cup competition then please don't enter it. Rant over I am tired

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dirtydingusmagee added 08:36 - Sep 24 I dont like seeing the negative comments after last nights result.I realise some supporters that travelled are not happy about team selection,but surely they didnt really expect MM to field his strongest team in that game,the result,barring a miracle would have been same .The players used last night in the main are not getting any meaningful playing time and deserve to get a chance to prove themselves.Had we lost any 1st team regular last night to injury,there would be people pelting the manager for risking them .We lost a gamelast night,we didnt lose our dignity .Well done lads.Now lets move on ,and concentrate on our main objective .COYB .

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dirtydingusmagee added 08:40 - Sep 24 As an add on to my previous post,to those not happy .Be THANKFULL you are not in the Toon Army,they DO have something to moan about .
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sidtheswan added 08:48 - Sep 24 If we win Saturday then fair enough . If we lose then questions need to be asked of MM . Anyway good try by our reserves shame for the fantastic supporters who spent a lot of money but must have known what sort of team would play !
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TR11BLU added 09:06 - Sep 24 Dont think anyone can complain about the team selection, Mick indicted his intentions immediately after the Donny win. It was no surprise to me, the strength of their 11 did though! We had a great night up there to see the youngsters give a good account, the experience will serve them well. As for Murphy, I got crucified on here a few weeks back for suggesting he was a one season wonder. He hasnt looked the slightest bit interested this season.........

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Dissboyitfc added 09:14 - Sep 24 I went to the game, great day out with my mates. When we saw the team sheets we were disillusioned and disappointed , our thoughts turning to an even bigger drubbing than the 9-0.(only 2 weeks ago getting thumped by reading springs to mind ) But that fear didnt materialise as the team did themselves proud with the exception of murphy. The point i want to make is this, No player or manager should go out with the " i dont care about the result or the next games more important attitude! I want my team to want to win every game, we deserve it as fans! coyb

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Bergholtblue added 09:25 - Sep 24 adidasdays... sorry to correct you old son, but Gerken was not even on the bench let alone in goal. Personally I think it was good of Mick to reward those players who did the business against Stevenage and Doncaster with an outing at Man Utd. And now Mick knows that in the event of suspensions or injuries he has players like Yorwerth, Malarczyk, Oar and Emmanuel who can step up to the plate if required. All of these made a good account of themselves against world class players. Also the likes of Bru, and Parr had valuable game time to assist in their recoveries. Coke and Tabb all got good game time, who like them or loath them, may both be involved in the first team sooner than later. Yes I would have liked to see what a bit of pace from ANM or Frazer would have done to the United defence, but all in all it was a good bit of Management from Mick who has his eyes on the bigger picture rather than the possibility of a few sensational headlines the following morning.

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Len_Brennan added 09:28 - Sep 24 A lot of opposing views on here this morning about the quality of the side Mick put out last night. For me it wasn't a second team, so I don't feel I've been cheated like some do. I am disappointed by the defence he put out though & agree with those who say they felt the game was lost when they saw that back 4 was lining up against Rooney, Mata, Fellani & Perreria. I think bringing in 2 new players would have been reasonable - Parr definitely & Malarczyk perhaps - while keeping Berra or Smith plus Knudsen in the side would have been fair, but 4 guys who never played as a unit before, behind a weakened midfield was unfair on them & somewhat disrespectful on us. As it happens I thought there were decent performances out of them. Parr should certainly be pushing for a start at full back on either side. I disagree with some about Yorwerth though, decent at getting his head on balls in the air but his decisions & positioning worry me. I thought Malarczyk looked like a good player, even though he should have been stronger against Rooney for the goal, & I would see him getting more game time. Just a pity he wasn't playing alongside Berra on the night. I do like Emmanuel & think he has a good future ahead of him. Was exposed quite a bit against a strong side, but showed good qualities & will continue to improve. As far the rest, I though Murphy did alright , particularly first half,with unsurprisingly poor service & don't get the negativity thrown at him. I must state that I was at the opposite end of the ground as I was staying with Man Utd supporting friends, so I would have had a different view to most. Great to see Bru back & the game will have brought him on future. Coke very poor. Oar has something alright, but did he best work when drifting across to the left. Would have liked to see him start on that side with Toure on the right. Good to have Bart back in goal. Got done by 3 very good finishes. Hopefully, Bru, Bart & Murphy start against Bristol City.

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Bluebongo added 09:42 - Sep 24 What was the gate at Old Trafford last night.
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karls_dad added 10:14 - Sep 24 I thought they did brilliant, players just back from injury, some youngsters, a cobbled together team, well done, no shame in losing thats for sure! If anyone should be embarassed it should be Man Utd, ......soo desperate for a bit of silverware, disliked the club before and they did nothing to change my opinion!
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Geoff added 10:19 - Sep 24 I disagree with the fact of not playing our best squad and if we had it would have cost us points,in our third spell in the premier league under George Burley we played our best team and made the semi final against Birmingham city. This did not affect our form at all and we still finished fifth that season. Perhaps i have been spoilt by the Bobby Robson era and later George Burley but making a few changes and resting a few is okay but eleven changes is to much.

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Lightningboy added 10:32 - Sep 24 I dunno..personally I think you should always play your best team no matter who you're playing,no matter in what competition..the 4,600 fans who made the trip deserved that. The players who come back in are now under more pressure to deliver a decent performance and get a good result this weekend. I think Mick chickened out of that game last night.
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blueherts added 10:39 - Sep 24 Well this has added a lot of pressure on Saturday now. Judge the team on the league not on last night. One thing I do hope to see is Skuse and Bru back in the middle, Douglas and Coke are not the solution. Also how was Murphy last night? Dids seemed to be getting about as ever interested to hear? Not sure he is quite back at it yet, maybe good to give Alabi a run out I like what I see of him.

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blueherts added 10:40 - Sep 24 Well this has added a lot of pressure on Saturday now. Judge the team on the league not on last night. One thing I do hope to see is Skuse and Bru back in the middle, Douglas and Coke are not the solution. Also how was Murphy last night? Dids seemed to be getting about as ever interested to hear? Not sure he is quite back at it yet, maybe good to give Alabi a run out I like what I see of him.

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blueherts added 10:44 - Sep 24 Shame we didn't play the toon Wednesday ressies enjoyed it
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addidasdays added 10:55 - Sep 24 I need new glasses Bergholtblue.
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PJH added 11:13 - Sep 24 I think MM picked just about the perfect team for the occasion. Great experience for some and gives key players a rest for more important games. I thought Parr and Malarczkk very good and further shows the depth of our squad. Yorwerth and Emmanuel will gain from the experience,in fact Yorwerth had our best chance to score.Bart and Bru both did enough to suggest to me that they should be in our first team.Oar is another one that will gain from the game,Coke got better as the game went on. I am in no way disappointed with the team picked. Last night has increased selection problems for the important games-but in a good way. COYB

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