Jones shines as McClair's prodigees cruise to win

Manchester United 1 Middlesbrough 1 Man Utd win 3-1 on agg

With the vast majority of Manchester United's first-team squad, including David Beckham, as well as manager Sir Alex Ferguson present, this was a fantastic opportunity for Brian McClair's youth side to make a big impression. This they did as they cruised to a 3-1 aggregate win, with their captain David Jones perhaps the most delighted with his evening's work.

Jones dominated midfield, breaking up sporadic Middlesbrough attacks, while also creating numerous United chances with his exceptional vision and neat passing.

The only disappointment for McClair and his side was their failure to take more than one of the many chances they created. But, having taken the lead on the night through Eddie Johnson's 15th-minute effort, they were never seriously troubled. The England Youth international did all the work himself, initially showing a neat first touch to bring a looping loose ball under control, then twisting past his marker on the edge of the box before cracking a shot into the corner which gave the goalkeeper no chance.

Having started the game needing to score twice to force extra-time, it virtually ended any hope Middlesbrough might have had and from that moment, United were in full control although the visitors got their reward for their efforts when Gary Liddle found the net with an excellent diving header from captain Andrew Davies' cross on 78 minutes.

If Davies had then been able to steer home the rebound when Luke Steele spilled James Morrison's angled drive, there could have been a few late worries for United. Steele, though, recovered to block ensuring his team-mates could collect the trophy for the first time since 1995.

Manchester United: Steele, Sims, Lawrence, Bardsley, McShane (Howard, 75), Jones, Eagles, Blake (Calliste, 75), Johnson, Richardson (Poole, 78), Collett. Substitutes not used: Heaton, Picken.

Middlesbrough: Turnbull, McMahon, Harrison (Reid, 56), Bates, Davies, Wheater, Morrison, Taylor, Peacock, Liddle, Brunt (Masters, 86). Substitutes not used: Knight, Nordgren, Kennedy.

Referee: R Styles (Hampshire)

Attendance: 14,849