New Delhi: A much changed Manchester United side struggled past Queens Park Rangers (QPR) at Old Trafford. A second half Carlos Tevez penalty was enough to win the game and send the champions into the quarter-finals.
With the Carling Cup well down his list of priorities, Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson made eight changes for the visit of Queens Park Rangers.
Gary Neville, Park Ji Sung and Anderson were the only survivors from the weekend’s defeat to Arsenal with youngsters Rodrigo Possebon, Darron Gibson and Rafael Da Silva all in the starting lineup along with Carlos Tevez.
QPR, meanwhile, drafted Saturday’s match winner against Cardiff Gavin Mahon into their first XI as they looked to cause an upset against the English Champions after defeating Aston Villa in the last round.
The home side certainly began the game the better with the visitors seemingly happy to sit back and absorb the inevitable pressure.
It took United a full 15 minutes however to carve out a presentable opportunity. Tevez running in from the left fired a shot at Radek Cerny, forcing the Rangers stopper to tip the ball around the post.
The goalkeeper was less than convincing shortly afterwards however. A shot by Nani should have been comfortably collected by the Czech, yet he conspired to spill the ball and an onrushing Park was almost the beneficiary before Radek grabbed it at the second attempt.
Yet despite United monopolising possession they were unable to create many clear cut chances and Rangers, whilst offering virtually nothing as an attacking force, were relatively comfortable in truth.
Tevez perhaps had the best chance of the first half after being played in by O’Shea.
However, the Argentine's shot flew wide of the near post and the visitors headed into the interval no doubt delighted with the goalless scoreline.
The second half began in much the same vein with United dominating yet looking lethargic in front of goal.
Park had the best chance of the opening exchanges, but his shot from 30 yards cannoned back off the post with Cerny beaten.
The chance seemed to spark United and Tevez again tested the Rangers keeper but his shot was tipped over the bar as the champions attempted to ramp up the pressure.
Their dominance eventually told with 15 minutes to go. Peter Ramage was adjudged to have fouled substitute Welbeck and referee Phil Dowd showed no hesitation in pointing to the spot.
Up stepped Tevez who made no mistake, sending the goalkeeper the wrong way, to give the home side the lead and send huge sighs of relief around a rain soaked Old Trafford.
Yet Rangers had their chances to equalise and make the home side pay for a lacklustre showing. Substitute Di Carmine did have the ball in the net, but fortunately for the home side the goal was chalked off for offside.
Eventually the Red Devils held on, despite a nervy final minutes, to seal their safe passage into the next round.
Man Utd: Kuszczak, Rafael Da Silva, Neville (Vidic, 89), Evans, O'Shea, Gibson, Possebon (Welbeck, 72), Anderson, Nani, Tevez, Park.
QPR: Cerny, Ramage, Hall, Stewart, Connolly, Buzsaky (Agyemang, 33), Rowlands, Mahon, Cook (Di Carmine, 78), Parejo (Ledesma, 46), Blackstock.
Goal: 1-0 Manchester United (Tevez, 76)
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