Football
Associated Press 15y

Man United gains League Cup final

MANCHESTER, England -- Manchester United reached the League Cup final, beating Derby County 4-2 Tuesday behind a goal from Cristiano Ronaldo.

Man United advanced 4-3 on total goals over its struggling League Championship opponent. On Wednesday, Tottenham will try to protect a 4-1 advantage over Burnley to assure itself a spot in the March 1 League Cup final.

Nani took 16 minutes to wipe out Derby's 1-0 first-leg advantage. Goals from John O'Shea and Carlos Tevez seemed to have put the game out of reach. But Derby substitute Giles Barnes scored twice in the final 10 minutes around Ronaldo's penalty kick to threaten extra time.

Having already won the Club World Cup in December, the English champions remain the only club in contention for all three domestic trophies and the Champions League.

But the club will be playing with a banged-up roster.

Nani hobbled off with an undisclosed injury, while Anderson, who had been limping badly, was carried off after the final and went to hospital for an X-ray on his ankle. His status was not known.

Injuries to defenders Jonny Evans (ankle) and Rafael da Silva (hamstring) and a knock to Gary Neville could severely hamper manager Alex Ferguson's options at the back, with Rio Ferdinand, Patrice Evra and Wes Brown already sidelined.

Ferguson fears Rafael will be out for a "few weeks" with hamstring trouble, but Evans could return for next Tuesday's match at West Bromwich Albion after missing Saturday's FA Cup fourth-round clash with Tottenham.

In the FA Cup, Doncaster beat Cheltenham 3-0 in a third-round replay and will face Aston Villa in Saturday's fourth round.

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