TROUBLE MARS UNITED VICTORY

CROWD trouble marred Manchester United's 2-0 win at Barnsley in the Carling Cup.

The holders sealed their place in the quarter-finals despite seeing Gary Neville shown a straight red card with Michael Owen adding to Danny Welbeck's early opener.

However, seven fans were arrested in total (four from United and three from Barnsley) after an incident in the North Stand concourse at half-time when a food kiosk was ransacked, and police dressed in riot gear in front of the away end had to avoid being pelted with plastic bottles in the second half.

Barnsley are launching a full investigation into the trouble but, on the pitch, there was no such concern for United against former striker Mark Robins's Tykes.

Welbeck was unmarked and allowed to steer a header past another ex-Red Devil in Luke Steele following Anderson's corner and the England Under-21 international was soon denied a second by the keeper.

Steele saved well to deny Gabriel Obertan a debut goal but the hosts fought their way back into the game and Stephen Foster hit the woodwork from an Adam Hammill corner.

Owen and substitute Zoran Tosic had openings before the former showed his finishing skills with a wonderful illustration of his predatory ability, prodding an astute shot wide of Steele to convert Anderson's through ball.

United had to play out the final 27 minutes with 10 men when Chris Foy red-carded Neville for a rash challenge on Hammill and the visitors had to rely on Ben Foster to ensure they kept a clean sheet with Barnsley spurning a number of opportunities.

Owen discussed the unfairness of his player ratings afterwards, stating: "A start and a goal, you can't ask for more than that.

"It is how people judge me unfortunately.

"I started a game against Bolton and was pretty pleased and thought I played pretty well. Then I looked at the papers and was given a three or four.

"But in this game I played pretty average and scored a goal and I'll probably get seven out of 10.

"I think I deserved a five in this game and seven or eight from the Bolton game."

Sir Alex Ferguson had no complaints about Neville's red card, even though the veteran defender looked flabbergasted at the decision.

"I've just seen the sending off, and Gary did follow through with the tackle and caught the player," he said.

"It was not high, just above the ankle, but in the present climate I would say that the referee was probably correct."

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