Debutant Lee saves Ferguson blushes

Opening up: Solskjaer's fine finish put United ahead
14 April 2012

Sir Alex Ferguson was indebted to a player who wasn't even born when the Scot took over at Manchester United as the holders were run to within a minute of their Carling Cup lives before forcing a 2-1 win at a rain-sodden Gresty Road.

With a penalty shootout just 60 seconds away, 18-year-old debutant substitute Kieran Lee raced onto an Alan Smith pass to drive the ball past Crewe keeper Ben Williams and deliver heartache to the League One club.

Until then, Dario Gradi's collection of misfits and prodigies had produced an exhilarating display to match the Premiership leaders and leave Ferguson prowling the touchline in nervous embarrassment.

A goal from the impressive Luke Varney 18 minutes from time had cast a shadow over United's defence of their trophy and deservedly forced the tie into extra-time.

Surer finishing at times and United's humiliation would have been total. In the end, though, it was one of Fergie's new fledglings in Lee who added to the first-half goal from the wily thirtysomething Ole Gunnar Solksjaer to make this a triumph forged across the Old Trafford generation gap.

A relieved Ferguson said: 'We were a bit careless and we should have had a better performance from the whole team. Credit to Crewe, I thought they were the better team tonight, but we shouldn't have allowed them a foothold in the game.

Ferguson was matched in age - he and his Crewe counterpart Dario Gradi are both 65 - and out-done in longevity on the touchline.

While Fergie will enjoy his 20th anniversary at Old Trafford next month, Gradi passed that landmark three years ago at Crewe and has stated publicy that he cannot see himself retiring.

It is apt, then, that the two grand old men should send out youth-oriented sides that reflect their traditions in their respective posts.

A fierce opening spell from Crewe saw central defender Julien Baudet go close twice in the opening three minutes. First, the Frenchman stung the chest muscles of United keeper Tomasz Kuszczak with a rasping 20-yard free-kick.

Next, another free-kick was cleverly clipped forward for Baudet to connect once more, this time with a guided header that was arrowing into the corner before Kuszczak arched his back and brilliantly tipped the ball away for a corner.

United's efforts were sporadic but gradually the communication patterns between the regulars and the youth team kids improved. The passing became more fluent as Solskjaer struck after 26 minutes. Richard Jones drove to the by-line before slipping the ball perfectly into the path of the Norwegian who gleefully stroked the ball home.

United almost doubled their lead 60 seconds later when Kieran Richardson's deliciously dipping volley required the fingertips of home keeper Ben Williams to turn it onto the bar.

Crewe emerged with renewed vigour at the beginning of the second half. Midfield cover was again lacking for United's defenders as a trio of openings were carved out.

Maynard was denied, Ryan Lowe was wastefully high after breaking into the box and Varney's low drive was too close to Kuszczak to beat the United keeper.

When he was slipped in by Maynard after 72 minutes, however, Varney ensured that his aim was true as he clipped a sweet shot out of Kuzsczak's reach and into the bottom corner.

Three minutes later, Varney almost sent the Crewe faithful into delirium with another effort which wriggled away from Kuszczak but lost pace as it dribbled towards the visitors' goal-line.

United could have won it before extra-time, too. The two Kierans, Lee and Richardson, missed glaring opportunities in the final minutes.

There were chances aplenty in a pulsating period of extra-time with both sides pressing for the winner. Crewe full-back Jon Otsemobor galloped down the right wing and fed Varney with a perfect low cross which the striker just failed to convert.

At the other end, Solskjaer volleyed over Jones' cross and Richardson forced a smart save from Williams with a rising shot before Lee delivered the final cruel blow to the home side.

Gradi said: 'I'm proud of the players. You worry about these games and them walking all over you. But they didn't. I didn't think we'd concede a goal in the last two minutes. I didn't see their goal because I was about to bring a substitute on to take a penalty. That's how close we were.'

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