Fergie: A magnificent cup tie

February 28, 2007

CELEBRATIONS: Saha and Solskjaer

REDS boss Alex Ferguson believes United were lucky to survive the fifth round FA Cup replay when Reading fought back after going three goals down.

A quarter-final trip to Middlesbrough now awaits, although before that United face a crucial Premiership encounter at Liverpool, when many pundits believe victory will effectively clinch the championship.

However, Ferguson knows his side will have to defend far more effectively than they did at Reading.

"We had fantastic chances to kill the game but we kept running with the ball and on a pitch like that it just doesn't work," he said.

"We kept giving them lifeline after lifeline and when they scored a second with six or seven minutes to go anything could have happened.

"In the end, we managed to ride our luck and we have come through a magnificent cup tie."

Royals manager Steve Coppell claimed there was 'honour in defeat' for Reading tonight after losing to at the Madejski Stadium.

"It is not often you say there can be honour in defeat but that is the position we are in tonight," said Coppell.

"I have to compliment my players. They are all warriors. They didn't lay down and die, they got back up again and fought, which is one of the best qualities to have."

What do you think? Have your say.

| Submit Comments | Comments (14) |

Showing comments 1 to 14 and replies | View All

ronaldo, manchester (28/02/2007 at 09:22)

WHAT !!!!!!!!!!! WHO ARE YOU TRYING TO KID,an insult to the intelligencce of Utd fans ,sorry all football fans.

chris, oxford (28/02/2007 at 09:39)

Fergie is right about us being lucky to have held on because Reading never rolled over and showed us what commitment is all about. How many times did Park and Saha hold on to the ball too long instead of passing and why does Saha have to shoot whenever a defender is six inches in front of him?

lala lover, netherlands (28/02/2007 at 09:40)

That was a close call!
Really a cup-tie.
In the en I was glad that the extra-time (long) 3 minutes was over.
We were woeful at times, and yet again credit to Reading, who showed like they'd played as a team moee often than we!
Still in the end glad to be in next round!; Middlesbro! Apparently it's their year!
Up The Reds

Demo, Glossop (28/02/2007 at 10:12)

When we were 3 up after 6 minutes i thought we would be great but once reading rearranged and came at us it un settled us too much. Saha is improving but still held on to the ball too much and shoots when there are better options. Bring on saturday with the A team back on the pitch and a great team performance to seal the win and the league.

bobbydazzler (28/02/2007 at 10:45)

united played well for 15 minutes then went to sleep for the rest of the game. how we managed to win this game with our midfield trio is beyond me.

TMUF, Manchester (28/02/2007 at 11:05)

bobbydazzler maybe it shows you should trust SAF as I am sure he knows alot more then you. Oh and support the team for a change!

Frank Old Trafford (28/02/2007 at 11:51)

Chris, because that's what all the hours of training and preparation teach them to do! Nothing is left to chance by Carlos and SAF.

Andy Clarkson (28/02/2007 at 13:36)

This showed why darren fletcher should never play for this club again. He will not ever be good enough. He has had too many chances.

REDNEV, mANCHESTER (28/02/2007 at 13:53)

Inept second string. Fergie is riding his luck with this mediocre bunch, how on earth richardson is still around is a mystery, surely the manager can see that this guy is hopeless and the midfield trio last night was a disaster waiting to happen. Get ready for losing all 3 points at Liverpool if they play anything like they have in the last 3 games...

Liam, Manchester (28/02/2007 at 14:31)

Apparently according to Fergie you couldn't run with the ball on that pitch. Nobody must have told Oster and Little because they were managing ok.

de Meester, netherlands (28/02/2007 at 15:53)

"Managed to ride our luck" - this caps it SAF!
Still we are in next round and you need a bit of luck in the Cup!
Normal service to be resumed shortly!
Up The Reds

karma2007, rochdale,greater manchester (28/02/2007 at 17:27)

Yer fergie a brilliant cup tie for the first 6 mins then it was a real mess,on the ropes for what seemed like a life time untill the whistle.

cantona's upturned collar, at home (28/02/2007 at 20:19)

I can just about accept somehow everyone slagging off Fletcher, O'Shea and Richardson on here, but to pick on Saha is downright incredible. How can anyone criticise Louis Saha? Yesterday (and not ony yesterday, mind you) he was AWESOME! For me he has to start at Anfield....LOUIS SAHA, LOUIS SAHA...EH..EH..EH...LOUIS SAHA! (to the tune of na na na na hey hey)

redandy, manchester (28/02/2007 at 23:09)

cant belive how negative everyone is united got a result with a team that has played a minimun amount of minutes toghter competetive football gave key players a rest what if we lost then wot for those who question fergie MOST SUCCESSFULL MANAGER OF ENGLISH FOOTBALL!!! people talk about players not being good enough we have players on loan and players in the youth and reserve teams ever watch them games with the amount of players we have coming through and we also can still but players the two brazilian twins next cafu and carlos training with us EDU came to train but went back mabye hes good enoguh and will come back stop moaning we are top of the table main P and were in last 16 CL and NOW REALLY same with FA cup!!!!!!

()

Report

Manchester United