Man United 3, Middlesborough 1: Fergie anger over Possebon injury

MANCHESTER United’s Carling Cup victory against Middlesbrough was soured by an horrific injury sustained by Rodrigo Possebon.

The young Brazilian midfield player was taken to hospital with a suspected broken leg following an x-rated tackle by Emanuel Pogatetz which earned the Austrian a straight red card.

Possebon’s first start for the Reds ended midway through the second half when he left the Old Trafford pitch on a stretcher with his right leg encased in a splint and receiving oxygen.

And as tempers frayed in the emotionally-charged atmosphere following the sending off, Sir Alex Ferguson and opposite number Gareth Southgate were involved in heated exchanges and finger pointing on the touchline.

Ferguson said: “What I cannot understand is how the opponent always claims he is innocent. He ought to have walked straight off. And somebody on their bench was screaming it was never a sending off and there was nothing wrong with the player.

“At least Gareth Southgate later apologised and understood the gravity of the injury. We hope it is nothing really serious, but it looks bad.”

The injury, which caused a six-minute stoppage, dampened an otherwise impressive display from United who exorcised the demons of last season’s embarrassing home defeat by Coventry City at the same stage of the knockout.

And while the goals came from established stars Cristiano Ronaldo, Ryan Giggs and Nani, we also saw an exciting glimpse of the future.

There were debuts for goalkeeper Ben Amos and strikers Danny Welbeck and Manucho and first-ever starts for Rafael Da Silva and Possebon.

Teenage Brazilian right-back Da Silva clearly looked one for the future with an assured display against England winger Stewart Downing.

Middlesbrough, by contrast, were almost at full strength.

Ronaldo, back after ankle surgery, marked his first start of the season with a goal as he again displayed his aerial threat by rising between Didier Digard and Mohamed Shawky to head home Giggs’ 27th minute corner.

But for two excellent blocks by the legs of keeper Brad Jones to deny Welbeck and Ronaldo, United could have had victory sealed by half-time.

There was a shock for United when Boro equalised against the run of play 11 minutes after the restart.

Vidic had the misfortune of seeing a powerful defensive header fall to substitute Adam Johnson who walloped a 25-yard volley low past Amos.

With extra time looming, United sealed victory late on after profiting on two pieces of charitable defending which allowed Giggs to beat Jones with an exquisite chip and Nani to round the ‘keeper for a neat finish.