United add to Leeds' woes

Leeds United 2 Manchester United 3 (After extra-time)

The much-maligned Roque Junior appeared set to emerge from his own personal torment, by scoring a brace either side of goals from David Bellion, and Diego Forlan.

But it was Cameroon international Djemba-Djemba who had the final say, with a winner just three minutes from the end of extra time.

However, Ferguson, who fielded an under-strength side, admitted Leeds had given a good account of themselves.

"I couldn't envisage us winning the game at half-time," he said.

"We were very indisciplined in the first half, and that encouraged Leeds. But in fairness they responded to it, and started playing once they felt they had a chance.

"They could have been two or three up at half-time, but once they did score we started to play.

"I felt it was the type of game that if we win, fine, but if not, it was good experience for the young players."

Leeds failed to force Roy Carroll into one meaningful save in the opening 45 minutes, bar him whipping the ball off Salomon Olembe's toes in the opening exchanges, which promised much.

Sadly, it was a false dawn, for other than Paul Robinson denying Forlan, after the Uruguayan international had run onto Nicky Butt's threaded through ball, the first half lacked the passion associated with a game between these two bitter rivals.

Perhaps that was to be expected in light of the number of 'reserves' on show, but at least the remainder of the game proved slightly more entertaining, although for McKenzie it would not have done his nerves any good.

For a brief moment it appeared as if Alan Smith celebrating his 23rd birthday today had made the breakthrough in the 47th minute, tucking home Carroll's parried save to a Seth Johnson drive, only for the linesman's flag to intervene.

The cheers of the Leeds fans, though, were only temporarily stifled, for just 90 seconds later they were on the scoresheet courtesy of the unlikely figure of Roque Junior.

The 27-year-old, on loan for the season from AC Milan, timed his run to Harte's in-swinging corner to perfection, powering home a header from inside the six-yard box.

The criticism he has received following his previous defensive performances clearly rankled with the Brazilian, for he refused to celebrate, shaking off his overjoyed team-mates one by one, until grudgingly raising an arm in salute.

The goal roused the visitors, and Leeds were forced onto the back foot. Bellion thought he had equalised just before the hour mark, but was clearly offside in tapping home Forlan's shot, before then being denied by a sprawling Robinson save soon after.

The Frenchman was not to be denied, though, however, he can be grateful to the linesman, for he appeared marginally offside in receiving Djemba-Djemba's through ball just 12 minutes from time.

The protestations of the Leeds players fell on deaf ears, just as they did against Liverpool on Saturday, when three Reds stars appeared to be interfering with play when Robinson fumbled a Danny Murphy curler, only for the goal to stand.

On this occasion, the 20-year-old strode purposefully forward before drilling his shot through the legs of the advancing Robinson for his first Manchester United goal since a £2million summer move from Sunderland.

Robinson proceeded to save his side in the dying seconds, sparing Roque Junior's blushes as the World Cup winner had inadvertently steered a Chris Eagles cross goalwards.

After Diego Forlan's goal in the 107th minute, Roque Junior hauled Leeds level with a goal off his knee, after a James Milner shot had spun off the turf. When the world is against you, though, there is no relief as Djemba-Djemba twisted the knife into the backs of both McKenzie and Reid.

LEEDS: Robinson, Kelly, Camara, Roque Junior, Harte, Milner, Seth Johnson, Olembe (Lennon 59), Sakho (Chapuis 80), Smith, Bridges (Domi 71).

MAN UTD: Carroll, Phil Neville, Gary Neville, O'Shea, Fortune, Fletcher (Johnson 112), Butt, Djemba-Djemba, Richardson (Eagles 64), Bellion, Forlan.