THE TELEGRAPH - UNITED'S CLASS TOO MUCH FOR ALBION
In a fitting tribute to George Best, Manchester United produced touches of real style in accounting for West Brom last night, the first goal even coming from a No 7.
Cristiano Ronaldo struck the first, followed by strikes from the sparkling Louis Saha and John O'Shea that carried United into the quarter-finals of the Carling Cup.
West Brom stirred themselves late on, scoring through a Nathan Ellington header, but for all the exhortations of their considerable support, the visitors seemed slightly subdued by the emotional nature of the occasion.
United had looked lively from the start, particularly attackers like Saha, Ronaldo and Giuseppe Rossi, the skilful little Italian. With O'Shea anchoring midfield diligently, United were comfortably in control, breaking forward time and again, seizing the lead within 12 minutes.
Ronaldo, clearly in the mood to parade all his tricks, ran into the box, his royal progress ended by Diomansy Kamarau's challenge from behind.
The Portuguese flier made the most of the contact, falling immediately, earning the boos of the Albion fans, but Mark Clattenburg had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. Ronaldo slid the spot-kick past Hoult.
Then, to Old Trafford's delight, it was Rossi's turn to demonstrate the deftness lurking in his left foot, the forward teasing a clever pass through the middle for Saha to chase. From 20 yards out, the Frenchman hit the ball firmly enough but Hoult should still have saved, instead allowing the shot to pass through his hands into the net.
THE MIRROR - SAHA IS UP WITH THE VERY BEST
They came to remember George Best last night - but Louis Saha reminded everyone that he should not be forgotten either.
Saha has endured a miserable 2005 and has spent more time on the treatment table than on the pitch because of a serious knee injury.
But last night he put all that pain and frustration behind him as United's forgotten man stepped out of the shadows and into the limelight at Old Trafford.
The Frenchman marked his first start since April by scoring his first goal since January 22 to help United through to the quarter-finals.
Saha, 27, who cost £12.2million from Fulham nearly two years ago, also had a hand in United's third as they eased past Bryan Robson's West Brom.
Saha has been repeatedly linked with moves back to his homeland, but he will hope that this heralded a new beginning for him at United.
THE TIMES- SAHA RETURN GIVES FANS REASON TO CHEER
George Best would probably have been less bothered about the emotional pre-match tributes in his honour as the result at Old Trafford last night, and against a West Bromwich Albion team seemingly intent on not spoiling the party, Manchester United bid a fond farewell to the greatest player in their history by booking a place in the quarter-finals of the Carling Cup with the most comfortable of victories.
There were even some moments of magic Best might have been proud to call his own, not least from Cristiano Ronaldo, who scored United’s first goal from the penalty spot, and Giuseppe Rossi, the outstanding young Italian striker who helped to fashion the second for the equally impressive Louis Saha. John O’Shea completed the romp, finishing off a move he started, before Nathan Ellington headed home in the 77th minute to remind those supporters who might have forgotten that there were, in fact, two sides playing.
It is testament to the admiration in which Best is held at Manchester United that Sir Alex Ferguson, true to his word, chose to field such a strong side in a competition that, traditionally, he has helped to devalue down the years by airing fringe or reserve-team players.
Only Tim Howard, Kieran Richardson and the exceptional Rossi survived from the team that had started against Barnet in the previous round, while Saha — remember him? — was afforded his first start since April after a miserable seven months spent mostly on the treatment table with a persistent knee problem.
Bryan Robson, the West Bromwich manager, like Best an idol of Old Trafford, was similarly respectful, but the visiting team might have fielded their reserves and fared better in an opening period dominated by United.
THE INDIE - IMAGINATION OF ROSSI AND SAHA INSPIRES UNITED
The latest emotional week in the life of Manchester United distracted Sir Alex Ferguson to such an extent that he only selected his team to face West Bromwich Albion last night in the hours before kick off. The tumult of George Best's passing, however, did not cause the United manager to lose sight of the importance the Carling Cup has assumed at Old Trafford this season.
This trophy now provides Ferguson with the clearest route to silverware and his starting line-up, senior to Albion in every respect as it transpired, reflected this.
"I really wanted to win this game, that's why I fielded such a strong side," Ferguson said. "It was fitting in a way because we played some really good football. It was a fantastic night and the greatest tribute we could have possibly given to George. It was all organised properly and it made it a very special night."
The official tributes to Best ended at 8.06pm, though 12 minutes into the fourth round tie the number seven shirt with which he is most associated at Old Trafford was returned to centre stage by its current incumbent, Cristiano Ronaldo. United's penetration and purpose will have strengthened their manager's conviction that his team are rediscovering the confidence of early season and in Ronaldo, Park Ji-Sung and the untried yet impressive strike partnership of Louis Saha and Giuseppe Rossi they had the menace to unnerve Bryan Robson's team at will.