Didier Drogba snatched the win four minutes from the end of extra time in a forgettable encounter.
"There was nothing between the two teams - neither deserved to lose or win and it is disappointing we have lost," he said.
"The pitch was slow and that didn't help but from our point so view I think we were tired in two or three positions, which didn't help us.
"What the players have been through in the last few months (their Premiership title victory) has been exceptional and credit for that but we couldn't cross the line today.
Controversy
"Maybe the number of games they play eventually gets to them."
The one moment of controversy came in the first half of extra time when Ryan Giggs slid in to meet Wayne Rooney's cross but failed to get decent contact on the ball, deflecting it into the body of Petr Cech before the Wales winger's momentum took him crashing into the Chelsea goalkeeper who appeared to carry the ball over the line.
Ferguson felt Giggs should have had a penalty for Michael Essien's challenge on the winger and blamed referee Steve Bennett for not spotting it.
"It is a penalty kick. The goalkeeper has spilled it behind the line - it would have been a difficult one for the linesman to call but the referee should have been in a better position," he told Sky Sports.
"To lose the game and see a replay of that is harsh to say the least. It is a clear penalty and the referee must be in a better position to see that."
What do you think? Have your say.
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celf, hazel grove (19/05/2007 at 19:00)
de Meester, netherlands (19/05/2007 at 19:09)
I was up off the edge of my seat. Couldn't believe he missed that, and he made some poor decisions all game. Scholes booked first when Cole & Drogba had committed bad fouls!
In hindsight the players looked tired, BUT Roo drove himself trying to spirit a goal; which nearly and should have happened!
He was as good as CR was bad!! (As was Gaby!)
I would have had Eagles on tne bench, as we needed pace at the very end!
Scholes was for me the MOM, with Roo, Rio, Wes & Vidic.
Poor Fletcher played OUT of position, didn't help him!!
(We missed Sahá's strength & pace today!)
A great pity for they were there for the taking today!
Up The Reds
Kevin, Tralee, Eire (19/05/2007 at 19:42)
Steve, Glossop (19/05/2007 at 19:50)
Bill Wirral (19/05/2007 at 20:02)
bobbyc, tameside (19/05/2007 at 20:03)
Morrissey's Cat, Manchester (19/05/2007 at 20:37)
I said that in '89, maybe you'll believe me now.
Fergie Out, that's what I say.
Chapman (19/05/2007 at 20:37)
Pie in the Sky, Manchester (19/05/2007 at 20:38)
Chapman (19/05/2007 at 20:47)
Blue Arab (19/05/2007 at 21:07)
Norvaner, Vancouver (19/05/2007 at 22:11)
Barry Lee, USA (19/05/2007 at 22:41)
Why not blame yourself for playing Fletcher on the right wing (shouldn't have been on the field at all), playing Ronaldo on the left (for the first 9 minutes of the first half and extra time he didn't touch the ball), and playing Rooney up front on his own. The players weren't tired, you were out-coached.Do us all a favor and retire.
Joe, Malta (19/05/2007 at 23:12)
Chelsea play boring football but they keep on getting results and are very difficult to beat.
Today's result was very important for them - they will gain back some confidence they had lost in the last game of the premiership.
However today's result should serve as a warning for next season - we need to invest in new players so that we can continue building on this season. I expect the likes of Giggs, Scholes and Neville to still be at OT next year, but I do not expect them to be "forced" to play 50-60 games a season. They still have something left in the tank and their experience is still invaluable - as Scholes shown today - but at their age they should feature less.
I hope that today's performance have convinced the Glazers that the team squad need new players. Let s not forget that Chelsea's last summer purchases were awful - especially Shevchenco, Balahraouz and to a lesser extend Ballack. We should not expect them to make the same mistakes again.
stubby, glossop (19/05/2007 at 23:31)
ronaldo, manchester (19/05/2007 at 23:48)
.In the end did anyone really give a flying "" who won!!
Why oh why do utd continue with these strange tactics??
Finally Utd have not scored from open play since Everton!!!
Still i would have given the world to be Champions so thanks for that lads,but i have said it before Quiroz is behind the negative tactics,get rid.
blueloon, Northwich (20/05/2007 at 00:25)
Hugh Jarse, Australia (20/05/2007 at 00:46)
Bring in OH and get Gary Nev fit and next season our marauding right wing back with added strengh in the MF will do wonders.
Giggs must be rested mopre next season and Ole used sparingly as he finishes his career with us.
Play Rossi in all the pre season games and Pique if he comes back. Never mind the overseas fans we need to try out the younger generation in a` squad that includes our strong defence and Rooney and Ronnie. Includes `Eagles in the tour and play him into some form.
I have the Ryan Giggs autobiography, numbered shirt and a 10 year old tee shirt from when he was the wizard on`the wing. I would like to see him equal or better Sir Bobby's record for games played but I don't want him to do this if he is not contributing. Less games and even coming on as a sub might just do it.
Very proud of the lads anyway. It's times like this I wish I still lived in sunny Warringon, although the ticket prices might keep me away. Maybe I could come home and claim to be BobbyD's long lost third son, I know he brings them up the ight way with season tickets to the games and gives` them a proper education
steve fenton (20/05/2007 at 08:32)
Uwe28, Manchester (20/05/2007 at 09:43)
Dave-K, ex-Cheadle (20/05/2007 at 09:57)
john blue, levenshulme (20/05/2007 at 10:16)
blueloon, Northwich (20/05/2007 at 10:34)
gwats0n, sheffield (20/05/2007 at 10:52)
Mark, South Manchester (20/05/2007 at 11:23)
Since 1999, they've only won two cup competitions - against Millwall & Wigan!