Smith’s frustration was understandable, even if the Leeds striker’s actions were indefensible, and he is likely to receive further punishment given the FA’s commitment to clamping down on football’s miscreants. By the end, a large, boisterous crowd had been numbed into silence by an extraordinary period of extra time that provided several kicks in the teeth.

Eric Djemba Djemba was Manchester United’s unlikely match-winner. Sir Alex Ferguson’s snobbish disdain for the Carling Cup led to wholesale changes, but the stand-ins showed a resilience that bodes well. Djemba Djemba snaffled the decisive goal with a penalty shoot-out only three minutes away.

Just four minutes earlier, Roque Júnior had made it 2-2 when he side-footed home from close range for his second goal of the night. The Brazilian had sent Elland Road into a paroxysm of joy and went some way to erasing the memories of a calamitous start to his Leeds career. He made his debut in the 4-0 defeat away to Leicester City and was sent off on his second appearance, against Birmingham City, but the World Cup- winner did enough to suggest that the “Rocky Horror Show” headlines may have been premature.

Diego Forlán thought that he had won the game after 108 minutes, when Darren Fletcher’s pass arrived in his path complete with gift-wrapping, but instead of killing the match it made it as the teams flew at each other with a carefree attitude. Ultimately, though, the visitors edged home. Given the personnel that Ferguson employed, the Manchester United manager will be delighted with another victory against the old enemy.

For Leeds the misery goes on. They have managed two wins in the Barclaycard Premiership all season and only made the third round of this competition courtesy of a goal from their goalkeeper and a penalty shoot-out. It is a sign of their dismal luck that Salomon Olembe, one of the few bright spots in the gloom, limped off injured and they had a penalty appeal turned down when Cyril Chapuis fell to the ground under a heavy challenge in the preamble to Forl án’s goal. Smith also had a strike ruled out for offside, but United also had two efforts disallowed by an assistant referee’s flag.

“It was a great game but we’re not having the rub of the green at the moment,” Peter Reid, the Leeds manager, said. “We’re scratching our heads at because we can’t get a break.

“We need to give the supporters something because they are giving us everything, but if we play like that, then we will change. I thought we had a decent appeal for a penalty, but those things happen. I’m just very disappointed for my players and the supporters, but we can’t feel sorry for ourselves.”

Smith, however, clearly did. Given the condemnation that rained down on Jamie Carragher after he tossed a coin into the crowd during an FA Cup tie between Liverpool and Arsenal two years ago, Smith is likely to find himself hauled over the coals for his petulance.

Smith is the barometer of the supporters’ emotions. The brooding tyro sometimes appears to time his tackles with the aid of a sundial and his goalscoring record belies his cult status, but he is the emotional core of the side. That is why every Leeds press conference comes with attendant promises not to sell him. His feather-ruffling got to Gary Neville, who exacted some revenge and was booked. Unfortunately, Smith’ s bottle provided an unsavoury postscript to a black night.

Leeds had thought that they were destined for some respite from their troubles when Roque Júnior headed home Seth Johnson’s corner at the start of the second half and, despite some nervy moments, they held firm.

Reid, though, was left to rue the day that he introduced David Bellion to British football. He signed the striker from Cannes during his time at Sunderland and Bellion saved United by slotting the ball through Paul Robinson’s legs after 78 minutes to force extra time.

It was a satisfying night for Ferguson. As for Leeds, if they do not get some luck, then McKenzie’s assertion that his team should be aspiring to a mid-table finish suggests that they are tilting at windmills rather than titles nowadays.

LEEDS UNITED (4-4-2): P Robinson — G Kelly, Roque Júnior, Z Camara, I Harte — J Milner, Seth Johnson, S Olembe (sub: A Lennon, 59min), L Sakho (sub: C Chapuis 82) — A Smith, M Bridges (sub: D Domi, 71). Substitutes not used: S Carson, M Duberry. Booked: Roque Júnior, Smith.

MANCHESTER UNITED (4-4-2): R Carroll — P Neville, G Neville, J O’Shea, Q Fortune — D Fletcher (sub: E Johnson, 112), E Djemba Djemba, N Butt, K Richardson (sub: C Eagles, 65) — D Forlán, D Bellion. Substitutes not used: T Howard, D Pugh, M Lynch. Booked: P Neville, G Neville, Forlán.

Referee: P Durkin.

'CULTURE OF ARROGANCE'

Simon Jose, chairman of Leeds United Independent Fans Association: “Excessive spending, lack of proper control, rash financial decisions and a culture of arrogance have caused us to post the worst results for any club.”

Peter Reid, manager: “Results on the pitch can ease problems financially.”

John Boocock, chairman of the Leeds United Supporters Trust: “Leeds want to stop thinking that they are a super-duper dot-com business and start thinking about the community.”

Dr Bill Gerrard, of Leeds University Business School: “I find it difficult to believe the board could say no to a substantial offer for Alan Smith or Mark Viduka.”

Ray Fell, chairman of the Leeds United Supporters Club: “The chairman says no more players need to be sold and hopefully the board know where they are going.”

Gareth Wood, season ticket- holder: “He (Mark Viduka) has been worse than useless this season and I’d bet my mortgage on him leaving.”

Explore Football

• Premier League

• Football League

• Scotland

• European Football

• International Football

• TheGame

• Live Match Tracker

• The Fink Tank

• Fantasy Football