Guardian:
‘These wealthy clubs may well cram the forthcoming years with a dispute over the honours of English and perhaps European football, so maybe we should not have expected anything to be decided on a single night. While there were no goals as United had a third consecutive 0-0 draw, there was still a dispute.
‘The mêlée just before the full-time whistle was insignificant in comparison with the conflict that the Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho initiated afterwards. He virtually alleged that his opposite number Sir Alex Ferguson had lobbied and swayed Neale Barry as the referee went down the tunnel at half-time.
‘According to Mourinho, the second half was awash with fouls for United that were all too readily granted. That extreme interpretation was supported by his captain John Terry, who complained that Barry virtually stopped communicating with him. Nonetheless, this supposed scandal was invisible to the eyes of most observers, even if two minutes was a peculiarly brief period of stoppage time.
‘It would be wrong, all the same, to present United as beleaguered. With Saturday lunchtime's visit to Liverpool to be considered, Ferguson left out Roy Keane and used Paul Scholes as a substitute but the side still had purpose and order.
‘They, too, could have scored even though Chelsea committed greater resources to the contest. With Arjen Robben denied to him by suspension, Mourinho picked the most potent outfield line-up he could find and even Wayne Bridge, having shaken off a virus, was in position. The manager may also have reckoned that it was better to try to maintain Chelsea's run with a seventh consecutive win than let anyone rest.
‘It was misleading of Mourinho to characterise United's display as purely defensive. They had more conviction to their attacks than when losing in the league here on the first weekend of the season.’
Independent:
‘United needed two goal-line clearances, from Gabriel Heinze and Phil Neville, to secure this draw but should have had a penalty and were otherwise worthy of the result. The identity of the Millennium Stadium finalists remains in the balance, however, as Chelsea will approach the second leg comforted by the knowledge that they have a good record at Old Trafford.
‘Though United faced the Premiership leaders with a far more recognisable XI than the team held by Exeter, it was still the low-tar version rather than the full strength. Only four of the team were first choices, though, when injuries were taken into account, Sir Alex Ferguson had picked seven of his best available XI. Of the absentees, Paul Scholes and Alan Smith were on the bench, and Roy Keane and Roy Carroll rested before Saturday's trip to Anfield.
‘With Ricardo Carvalho injured and Arjen Robben suspended, Chelsea only omitted Petr Cech from their best possible XI.’
Times:
‘Sir Alex Ferguson had insisted that the quadruple was impossible and, after frustrating José Mourinho’s men in the first leg of last night’s Carling Cup semi-final, the Manchester United manager will be hopeful of personally seeing to it that Chelsea fall short. A minor mêlée on the touchline just before the final whistle whetted the appetite for the second leg.
‘The Barclays Premiership leaders looked far more likely to score a late winner and, but for a couple of goalline clearances, they might have had one, but Ferguson could claim a moral victory at Stamford Bridge. Unlike Mourinho, he had rested a few of his big guns and he will be tempted to roll them out at Old Trafford in just under a fortnight.
‘Rio Ferdinand could be one of those to return, but, even without him, United’s defence was the first to stop Chelsea scoring in a domestic game since they lost away to Manchester City three months ago. The roars at the final whistle were all from the visiting supporters. Accustomed to victories, the home fans were probably in shock.
‘With their lead in the championship and a European Cup tie against Barcelona to look forward to, not to mention the FA Cup, Chelsea could bear being knocked out of this competition, but that will not be their attitude when they travel to Old Trafford for what should, after this enthralling tie, be a tumultuous fight to the death.
‘Big doubts remain about Wayne Rooney’s effectiveness on the left, where he resumed after a three-match suspension, but no one could doubt his commitment when he was seen tackling back in his own box.’
Telegraph:
‘Manchester United took more than a highly pleasing draw back to Old Trafford for the second leg of this Carling Cup semi-final on Jan 26. Sir Alex Ferguson's side took real pride at stifling Chelsea with a combination of organization and determination. All draws are equal but some are more equal than others.
‘United, who have not lost a cup-tie to Chelsea since 1950, rested Roy Keane and Rio Ferdinand before Saturday's Premiership trip to Liverpool and Ferguson's gamble paid off. They will fancy their chances in the second leg, although Chelsea will have Arjen Robben back from suspension.
‘A fascinating tactical battle had immediately unfolded in this open and attractive cup- tie, both sides' 4-3-3 configurations mirroring each other. United's line-up was certainly more attacking than of late. With Louis Saha returning as the spearhead after two months out injured, Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo buzzed around busily from their starting stations on the flanks.
‘The game briefly soured late on when Drogba collapsed, signaling that Quinton Fortune had caught him. Ronaldo then squared up to Drogba, was cautioned and then removed by Ferguson. Fortune also lost his composure and was lucky that Terry intervened to calm him down.’