By Chris O'Brien
January 16 2006

A first-half strike from Louis Saha was not enough for United, but the Red Army will be pleased with a 1-1 draw at Ewood Park. The Red Devils will now be favourites to reach the League Cup final following a passionate first-leg contest.

Manchester United will claim advantage in their League Cup semi-final with Blackburn Rovers, following a 1-1 draw at Ewood Park. Louis Saha was on target for the Red Devils in a fiery contest that produced eight yellow cards and, on more than one occasion, threatened to spill over.

Contrary to reports, Sir Alex Ferguson named a strong line-up for the short trip to Blackburn. Ruud Van Nistelrooy was the only notable absentee for the visitors, though United were without their two new year signing Patrice Evra and Nemanja Vidic.

The game got off to an explosive start and Wayne Rooney went close for United with Robbie Savage testing Edwin Van Der Sar at the other end. It was Fergie’s men dominating possession though, and Louis Saha broke the deadlock after a surging run from Ryan Giggs gave the Welshman time to find an anxious-to-impress Saha who clinically fired past Brad Friedel.
It should be noted: Away goals no longer count double in the competition.

BRFC battled back well and were always looking dangerous on the break. Six minutes later Morten Gamst Pedersen netted an amazing equaliser as he continues to haunt United following his two-goal heroics at Old Trafford earlier in the season. The Norwegian took advantage of sloppy defending from Rio Ferdinand, losing the ball in the air allowing the midfield to send a powerful shot home.

With a Cup final at the Millennium Stadium in sight, passions ran high. Alan Smith’s horrendous tackle on Robbie Savage, who may only get one last chance to play at Wales’ national stadium after being forced into international retirement. This resulted in a fracas involving Rooney with all three players finding their way into the referee’s book only minutes before the interval.

United took control in the second-half, though it was Kuqi who went closest in the opening minutes after the break as he fired wide from a Craig Bellamy cross. Alan Smith then temporarily went off with a blood wound following an aerial battle with Friedel as the two teams continued to scrap.

The Red Devils stepped up their challenge for a first-leg lead and Rooney went close before Van Nistelrooy was sent on in attack to replace Saha. However, it was in vain as Blackburn defended stoutly, leaving things poised nicely for the re-match on the 25th of this month.

Full Time – Blackburn Rovers 1-1 Manchester United
Attendance – 24,348
Blackburn Rovers: Friedel, Neill, Todd, Nelsen, Gray, Bentley (Emerton 76), Savage, Tugay (Reid 76), Pedersen, Kuqi (Dickov 84), Bellamy.
Substitutes Not Used: Enckelman, Khizanishvili.

Manchester United: Van der Sar, Neville, Ferdinand, Brown, Silvestre, Ronaldo, Fletcher (O'Shea 85), Smith, Giggs, Rooney, Saha (van Nistelrooy 82).
Substitutes Not Used: Howard, Bardsley, Rossi.