Manchester United booked their place in the fourth round of the Capital One Cup with a 2-1 win over Newcastle at Old Trafford.
Young defence
Although their defence boasted just two appearances between them, for the most past they kept Newcastle at bay.
Dan Gosling wasted a decent chance and returning skipper Fabricio Coloccini had a header deflected wide, but with debutant Marnick Vermijl and England Under-19 international Michael Keane both impressing, United could go forward with confidence.
Cleverley should have scored after 34 minutes when he strode onto Javier Hernandez's lay-off.
But with just Elliot to beat, the England international sent the ball flying wide, much to his own disbelief.
Vermijl crossed dangerously for Hernandez straight after the restart, only for the Mexican to send his near-post header narrowly wide.
Newcastle carried a threat though. Haris Vuckic was not far away when he got the better of Keane inside the box and took aim for the far post.
After his earlier woeful effort, Cleverley was eager to make amends.
Collecting Welbeck's pass, the England man only had one thought on his mind.
And virtually as soon as the shot left his foot, he set off in celebration at such a landmark moment as his first goal for United nestled in the Newcastle net.
Within a minute of his introduction though, last season's scoring sensation Cisse scored his first of this term, a close-range header from a cross delivered from the left by fellow substitute Shane Ferguson to breathe fresh life into the tie.
In response, luckless Hernandez crashed a shot against the bar.
Rooney's exit 14 minutes from time led to Nick Powell's introduction, confirmation of a Ferguson masterplan that went way beyond the actual result.
With the clock ticking down, Cisse's overhead kick came crashing back off the crossbar.
It was as close as Newcastle came to an equaliser, although the late exit of Alexander Buttner threatened to give Ferguson another defensive headache.
