Mifsud stings United

MANCHESTER, England (AFP) - Maltese striker Michael Mifsud stunned Manchester United with two goals as Coventry clinched a 2-0 League Cup victory against the Premier League champions at Old Trafford on Wednesday.Mifsud, nicknamed the 'Mosquito', scored in each half as United's collection of youngsters and fringe players were outplayed by the Championship mid-table outfit.It was the first time United had lost to lower league opposition since their defeat against York in 1995 and the sloppy display reflected Sir Alex Ferguson's lack of interest in the competition.Despite talking up the possibility of naming Wayne Rooney and Louis Saha in his team, United manager Ferguson fielded a largely inexperienced starting line-up.John O'Shea, Anderson and Nani were the only recognisable performers in the first eleven, but Ferguson had claimed in his programme notes that United's youngsters were good enough to beat Coventry.It was a confident boast by Ferguson, but from the start, Iain Dowie's outfit were first to every ball and they were not intimidated by their opponents or their surroundings.Leon Best, Robbie Simpson and Mifsud all looked lively as Dowie's team went in search of an upset.And after dominated the opening period, Coventry claimed the lead when Mifsud scored from close range after 27 minutes. Although it was a well-worked goal by the visitors, United should have cleared the danger long before the Maltese forward put the ball in the back of the net.Leon Best's cross to Michael Doyle was taken easily by the Coventry captain and his far post cross to Mifsud went through the heart of the penalty area before the tiny striker tapped in from three yards.Mifsud, billed as Malta's answer to David Beckham, nearly scored again four minutes later with a cheeky back-flick from Simpson's cross, but his effort bounced off the far post to United's great relief.Despite the setback of falling behind, United failed to respond and Coventry again went close when Simpson sent a 20-yard effort inches over the crossbar two minutes before half-time.Ferguson threw on experienced campaigners Wes Brown and Michael Carrick in the second-half, but the changes did not immediately concern Coventry, who continued to frustrate United.Although Dowie's team found themselves pushed deeper and deeper back into their own territory, United just could not get behind the Coventry defence and it was left to Nani and substitute Fraizer Campbell to try their luck from long range.On the one occasion when United did give themselves a sight on goal, Dong Fangzhuo's close range effort was saved by Andy Marshall before Carrick's follow-up shot was blocked by Elliott Ward.Fraizer Campbell then had a header brilliantly saved by Marshall before Mifsud finished the tie off with a breakaway goal. After working a one-two with Jay Tabb, Mifsud broke into the penalty area and lashed a right-foot strike past the helpless Tomasz Kuszczak to seal a famous victory.