Sir Alex Ferguson would like everyone to believe that Manchester United’s young players are as good as those being cultivated by Arsène Wenger at Arsenal, but there was little evidence of that being the case at Old Trafford last night.

For the second season running, United were eliminated in the early stages of the Carling Cup by a Coca-Cola Championship side as Coventry City took full advantage of the home team’s youth and naivety to book their place in the fourth round with a thoroughly deserved 2-0 victory.

A goal in either half from Michael Mifsud, a former Maltese Sports Personality of the Year who earned the nickname of “mosquito” by virtue of the fact that he is always buzzing around, ensured that there was a nasty sting in the tail for Ferguson. The Coventry striker would even have had a hat-trick, but somehow fired wide after Stephen Hughes’s free kick was spilt in the 82nd minute.

It was United’s worst result in the competition at Old Trafford since they lost 3-0 to York City in September 1995, but even allowing for the 11 changes Ferguson made to the team who defeated Chelsea 2-0 on Sunday, there was little to excuse such a sorry showing.

The defeat may not have been as humiliating as that suffered at the hands of Southend United last season, when Ferguson fielded a much stronger side, but there was barely a single positive for the manager to take from a game watched by 74,055 fans.

“I was flabbergasted by our performance,” Ferguson said. “There was no mitigation. These are all young players we have shown great hope in and have trumpeted in a loud way in recent years. It was a big shock to us all. We were second to every ball. Over the 90 minutes we were disappointing, but I have to give the young players a chance so it was no surprise to see us ring the changes.”

Whatever United’s failings, though, it was hard not to be impressed by Coventry, who, willed on by 11,000 travelling supporters, were as disciplined as they were determined, and in Mifsud had the game’s outstanding player. Incredible to think that he has yet to start a league match this season.

“Tim Flowers [the assistant manager] gave him the nickname because he buzzes around and can be a little pest,” Iain Dowie, the Coventry manager, said. “His pace can sometimes be a hindrance because he rushes his shots, but he is getting calmer with his finishing. They set the standard tonight.”

Avram Grant had to suffer Chelsea supporters continuing to chant the name of José Mourinho, but the new manager emerged with a smile last night as the holders claimed a comfortable 4-0 victory away to Hull City, the Championship side.

Roman Abramovich was not at the KC Stadium to witness it, but Chelsea progressed to the fourth round courtesy of goals from Scott Sinclair and Steve Sidwell — their first strikes for the club — and a pair from Salomon Kalou. “I’m happy with the result and the performance,” Grant said.

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