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United Cruise To Victory On An Emotional Night

Carling Cup Fourth Round
Manchester United 3
West Bromwich Albion 1
Old Trafford, 30 November 2005

This wasn't so much a football contest as a celebration of George Best's life; and United did so with class on and off the pitch.

The Reds easily brushed aside West Brom with three goals inside an hour and then United's supporters took over, delivering an emotional farewell to a legend.

The kick off was delayed by six minutes due to an emotional pre-match tribute to the former Reds winger, who sadly died last week. Every one of the 48,924 crowd, including the West Brom supporters, held up posters bearing Best’s picture during an impeccably observed minute's silence before kick off.

The club deserves much credit; it was a moving mark of respect, a tribute worthy of a United great.

It is ironic that Best's United career began against West Brom in 1963, and it was against the Midlands side that fans were able to bid their farewell.

In truth, West Brom were no match for a United side containing more experience than had been expected. Rio Ferdinand and Mikael Silvestre were surprise inclusions at the back alongside Gary Neville and Kieran Richardson. Ronaldo, O’Shea, Park and Fletcher were solid in midfield with Rossi and Saha a constant threat up front. Wayne Rooney was even named on the bench.

United: Howard, Neville (c), Ferdinand, Silvestre, O'Shea (Pique, 67), Fletcher (Jones, R. 57), Park (Bardsley, 65), Richardson, Ronaldo, Rossi, Saha.
Subs not used: Steele, Rooney.

West Brom: Hoult, Robinson, Moore, Clement (c), Wallwork, Inamoto, Carter, Albrechtsen, Kamara, Ellington, Horsfield (Chaplow, 66).
Subs not used: Gaardsoe, Greening, Kuszczak, Earnshaw.

Attendance: 48,924