Darron Gibson led the charge of the youth brigade as Manchester
United marched into the Carling Cup semi-finals.
Tottenham travelled north hopeful of recording their first Old
Trafford victory since 1989 and avenging their shoot-out defeat
by Sir Alex Ferguson's men in last season's final. But, once Gibson
had fired home the first of a brilliant brace, Spurs never looked
like ending their hoodoo.
Since United started their trophy gathering at the start of the
1990s, there are not many clubs whose record against the Old Trafford
outfit bears intense scrutiny.
However, there are some who might as well cross their meetings
with United out with a black marker as soon as the fixture list
comes out. Aston Villa are one, Everton another. Then there is Tottenham.
It is so long since Spurs won an away game against United that Gary
Lineker scored the winner.
That is the history Harry Redknapp wanted to be challenged when
he called on his team to prove their worth by winning away from
home at a top-four club. But scoring nine against Wigan is one thing,
beating United on their own patch, even with a healthy smattering
of youngsters, is quite another. |
