United head to Portugal next week knowing they must do something no other English side has managed in 11 previous attempts and defeat Porto on their own ground.
Barring an even bigger score draw, the 2-2 scoreline means the Champions League holders must win or go out at the quarter-final stage.
It did look as if United would collect a precious lead from the first-leg tie despite being outplayed during the opening period.
But Carlos Tevez's 85th-minute effort was quickly cancelled out by Mariano, to leave Ferguson to reflect on what might have been.
"You have to think the last goal was one we could not afford to lose," said the United boss.
"It was a terrible goal to give away when you are 2-1 up and seeing the game out.
"It is a difficult job now, not made any easier when they tell you no British team has won in Porto.
"But we only have ourselves to blame. We just have to win. We have been first at everything at this club. Let's hope we can be first again."
After their last-gasp heroics against Aston Villa on Sunday, United appeared to be caught off guard by Porto's flying start.
What was once the most watertight defence in Europe failed to come to terms with the threat Porto posed and the visitors could easily have scored more than the single first-half goal they did manage through Cristian Rodriguez.
The only reason Porto were not in front at the break was a disastrous mistake from Bruno Alves, who gifted Wayne Rooney a 15th-minute equaliser.
United got on top in the second-half and when Tevez struck at the near post, it seemed victory would be secured.
"At that point in the game you just think 'excellent' because we had not played particularly well," said Ferguson.
Do you think United will beat Porto? Have your say.
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The way they played last night i have to say it NO , but I do know they play amazing football , and they can defend
BUT hells bells guys there was NO defence last night
u got to pull finger !!
Being realistic and not pessimistic I can't see us getting through now, its a step too far. We were outstanding against Inter Milan in the first leg and since then we have fallen away dramatically. Unusually for Utd we've hit out wall in the latter part of the season not the start. Porto impressed me and were clearly directed to run at out defence with every opportunity and they could have been 3 up in 10 minutes. I couldn't believ Evra was bombing forward after we went 2-1 up, it was becasue he was out of position that the whole defence got pulled across and Nev was left with two men and 20 yards gap to cover. I think SAF will need a lot of luck to stop our season imploding and I just hope he can pull it out of the bag.
Ok folks, to save you all lots of fretting, stress and typing over the next two months it's official - it's all over: Utd will collapse and win nothing more this season.
At least The Guardian suggests it might be like that
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/blog/2009/apr/07/manchester-united-porto-champions-league
Comments after the Villa match suggested that this was as threadbare as Utd would be and that with the return of Vidic, Scholes and Rooney things would improve. But based on last night this is the problem - this is the Utd that has struggled (a term that is relative of course, we are still top) this season. So what is the answer?
If J Evans is now crocked it will have to be O'Shea and Vidic in central defence (though does Vidic not have one more game banned?).
Do we really want Neville in defence against the big Sunderland forwards? And yet what can SAF do - he can't just make piecemeal changes. He does however need to consider an injection of fresh legs.
I would drop Scholes and Neville and I would play Anderson if fit and Nani on the right wing not the left(Id tell him he has 8 games to convince Man United to keep him). I would also play Giggs on the left.
I would even consider playing Tevez in midfield (unless United have a young lurking midfield version of Macheda Im unaware of).
I would also add Wellbeck and Macheda as supersub strikers (they did enough in the last 10 mins at Villa to convince me).
Is it not better to be bold now that watch more of the same and hope it suddenly clicks. But maybe The Guardian is right and Utd are in danger of imploding.
All I know is that it is time for SAF to show all his esperience and greatness. Getting to the next round of the CL will be just that, as will winning the league. Everton will turn Utd over in the FA Cup based on current form (and Id take Phil Neville for midfield any day!).
United for life...THROUGH THICK AND THIN!!
Thought Fergie put the wrong side out yesterday!As soon as we got on the Stretford End and saw the team we were in a panic!Playing Fletcher out ont he wing with Nani on the bench was wrong,Scholes and Carrick both look out of form,Surely playing Anderson against his old side would of given him a boost!Gary Neville doesn't look good enough for us now,He was at fault for their last goal,Stuck between two defenders in no mans land!In the program SAF talked of getting at them,when all we did was contain them.The Premier league is known for it's speed and finesse,we showed none last night.There weren't many out there lastnight that deserved to wear the jersey.We pay good hard earned money to watch the team,We at least deserve to see a decent team out on the pitch!That's probably the worst game I've watched on Old Trafford.
May 9th.
tick tock
Lets be honest this defeat is down to Fergie no question!
Surely playing Anderson against his old side would of given him a boost!ian , preston
8/04/2009 at 10:25
He's injured!
I would have loved to be in the dressing room last night to see how they addressed this performance. How did the manager address the slack play from Evra or Ronaldo? How did he address the poor play of Carrick or Scholes. The midfield is neither providing cover for the back 4 or assisting in the offense. It is as if the game is by passing them quite literally. I realize we have been playing 2 games a week since Xmas but I thought the squad size was to take care of that. Does anyone knows when Berbatov, Wes, Rafael or Fabio will return? We look lost out there void of ideas and I am not sure where that inspiration is going to come from.
Porto is a good side not a great side and surely not a side that should come to OT and get a result. That is exactly what happen as we have too many players that have come unstuck at the wrong time. Plus our play is so predictable now. Overlap on the wings by the fullbacks or hope for someone to do something individual. Carrick has got to step up his game and that is that. I don't care how tired he is; he can rest all summer. There is no way Porto should put this team out of the champion league no way.
Roy: completely agree with what you're saying-Nani needs to play on the right hand side not 45 mins a month on the left and then dumped and blamed for everyhthing that goes wrong he's more assists and goals than Park and he's had quadruple the playing time.
Why oh why Fabio doesn't get a go at right back is anyones guess? He's right footed for "Gods sake".
Is it over for United ?
I hope not !
United for ever
Guys
Whilst I agree that GNev, and Scholes are looking tired and leggy, Nev was not at fault for the last goal, it was Evra. Evra burst forward at speed and then jogged back, leaving a hole behinfd him, this pulled the 2 centre backs out of position and then Nev had to come over to cover the hole that they left, which left the back post open. Evra needs to learn that Defense is his first duty!!!
I do agree with the comments about the midfield, Both Carrick and Scholes were off form and have been for a few weeks, but I dont understand how SAF can play the elder statesman from the start of a game (Nev, Scholes, Giggs), they dont have the legs anymore, although there is an arguement to say that Giggs is still doing OK, these guys should be coming off the bench to steady a game as Nev and Giggs did last night. Personally I would have sent on Eckersley at right back, youth and energy is what we need right now as the team seems to be struggling to pass and move at the same time. But lets face it this is nothing new, weve been here before, and Saf has turned it round, I just hope he can do it again, Heaven forbid the Scousers could win the league and that will never do!!!
COME ON SAF gets some youth into the team rest the old folks. Were was Possebon, Gibson, each one of them could have done a job better than the midfield we had last night, and as someone else said put Nani on the left and pull fletch into the middle, (fletch I think has drastically improved this year).
Enough Rant just get it fixed SAF
Why oh why Fabio doesn't get a go at right back is anyones guess? He's right footed for "Gods sake".
Solskjaer20Legend, Epsomville
I fully agree he would do the job with ease and he scores goals for fun.
Too many games, injuries and indifferent form from too many players, is most of the explanation for the current problems. The other part of it is the growing lack of effectiveness of Ronaldo. His disrupted pre season seems to have caught up with him and he has lost the sparkle, energy and ability to surprise. Opponents, these days, can contain him.
In fact, he looks like a Real Madrid player already.
I have always said he is unsaleable and his form will be much better next season given an injury free run. The bigger question though is the affordabilty of replacing Neville, Giggs, Scholes and assorted "not good enoughs". The "best ever squad" isn't and needs major attention.
Despite his patchy and expensive performance in the transfer market, the owners know they will have to keep bankrolling SAF to contain the threat of resurgent Liverpool and Arsenal. For the first time, the club could be in the position of having to cash in its most valuable asset to afford the overhaul needed. I hope not, but Ronaldo wont keep his current value for ever, and if there is an agreement in place for him to move on to Spain at some stage, it may be that this is the year to do it.
Solskjaer20Legend, Epsomville
8/04/2009 at 12:07 Well said. Nani is in and out of the team and if you have played football before believe it harder to be not playing for 3 months then suddenly you have a huge match and then you are taken off after 45 minutes. Fergie brags about young players etc but he hardly gives them a chance. if anything he cannot let go of Giggs, Neville and Scholes. Maybe think it will all be different if they are not there and might consider quitting himself.
Solskjaer20Legend:
I agree with you about Nani - he hardly plays any more and in unjustly slated when he does get his monthly run-out. He is also capable of tracking back!
But do you really see the solution to our current defensive problems as playing an 18 year old with 53 minutes of first team experience out of position on the right? Maybe giving Evra (who has been poor since the Carling Cup final) a rest and playing Fabio in his prefered position would be a good idea though?
Does this signal the end of our season? ... Yes, it just might be. I would like to think we will recover, but it certainly looks like more than a blip.
With the defensive problems, WBA would be confident scoring against us. The problem is more than just the lack of personnel, it is the lack of that invincibility aura, that confidence among the defenders that nothing will get pass them.
With that missing, our defence is playing with a bag of nerves and we will see it even if Rio and Wes or Rafael returns. We need to somehow return to that old arrogant and selfish defense we used to have. The one that bullies visiting strikers and wingers into submission.
Until we can get back that confidence, we just may win nothing this season.
Recent displays have been perplexing, but we can still recover and have a successful season. We just need a clean sheet win asap and we will hopefully regain our usual confidence and composure. Lets keep the faith until things are actually decided.
Really not sure about the coaching this year, for which Phelan has much responsibility. We have had no cohesion, fluidity or pace in our play for most of the season. Carlos clearly did a very good job and may return, but what about Ole?
It's hard to see a future for the old guard beyond this year. Painful to say it but the time has come for Scholes, Nev and most likely Giggs too. Add in Edwin. I don't think we can expect much from any of them next year, and their presence will hinder our attempts to properly integrate their eventual replacements.
The team needs some new blood for next season, so here's my go at champ manager:
Out:
Gibson, the crap pole in goal, Edwin, Nani.
Raising 5-10 mil.
Moved to coaching staff:
Scholes, Nev, Giggs.
In:
Goalie - any ideas? Buffon? Foster would do to save cash
One of Villa, E'too (contract winding down) or Aguero - 30 mil. We need more pace up front, and a real finisher.
David Silva - 30 mil. We need some creativity in the middle of the park
Hamsik - 15mil (21 yr old defence mid who scores goals!!) someone to dominate midfield.
Wijnaldum - 5mil (18yr dutch midfielder...huge potential)
Just 80mil Malcolm. How about it, before someone else signs the above...
Totally agree about Nani- give the lad a chance.
It was seven minutes before half-time when Federico Macheda climbed off the bench and headed towards the touchline.
Old Trafford erupted. The fans chanted his name. Gary Neville and Ryan Giggs, who were warming up with him, were ignored
Since Carlos left players like Nani and Anderson have not developed or have been totally ignored Ronaldo also is not the same player.
Fergie is pig headed take Mourino if he could see what a shambles the defence was he would have changed it at once.Fergie did not even have Fabio on the bench or Tosic who does not give the ball away to all and Sundry VDS can,t even kick the ball to his own players.
I dont think all is lost far from it because United are quite capable of going to Porto and scoring two goals enough to see them through to the semi final however they need to keep a clean sheet. Porto's equaliser at Old Trafford was deserved on the run of play but I felt VDS should have thrown his body to his right which would have made it almost impossible for the lad to score,it was bad goalkeeping in my opinion.Had Porto not levelled United would certainly have been clear favourites to go through but it is in the balance now but certainly not beyond the likes of Ronaldo,Rooney,Tevez to score for United so it is foolhardy to write the reds off.
We all know the crowd in Porto will be like a twelfth man to them the aptmosphere will be electric and with players such as Hulk,Mariano and Rodrigues in their team United defence will have their hands full but they have been there before,I have a feeling United will win 2-0 and go through.....however a 0-0 or 1-1 scoreline and United are out,the key is for the reds stop one of the undermentioned players scoring we shall see.......more importantly and that is UNITED have to score the first goal to apply the pressure on Porto ---IT IS POSSIBLE......
'The best squad ever'I watched a game the other night,Keane,Beckham,Giggs"in his prime"Yorke the two Nevilles"in their prime" and Ollie Gunner now that was a great team and part of a great squad.I'd forgot how good them guys were.
Midfield General you could be Alex in disguise we do not to buy any players just use the ones we have got,we have the best young talent anywhere.
This is problematic times for us, guys. We need to sort out the defense, but problem is that we have no time and we have no players. We need Rio back.
Just look at the list of our injuries: Brown, Hargreaves, Berbatov, Rafael, Evans, Anderson and Rio - what team wouldn't be in trouble with so many defensive players out? We're down to two regulars and two 3rd choices right now. The squad is stretched to the max.
At this time of season, we may train once or twice between each match (recently we haven't trained at all due to internationals and game sunday and tuesday). On top, most of our defense is out injured, so there's not that many opportunities to sort out the mess.
Lineup for saturday is a given - Nev, O'Shea, Vidic and Evra - they should be able to see off Sunderland, which is absolutely necessary.
The guys looked really tired on tuesday, and they have done so of late. But we play more games than any other team in the world, so we're bound to have a bad spell. At this time of season, we've played 6 games more than both Liverpool and Chelsea, and it'll cost us. Hopefully not as much as some fear. Where would Liverpool be, if they were involved in all competitions at this stage? They haven't been involved in FA and Carling Cup at all this season (again), so of course they'll be fresher.
Interesting to see what SAF does for the FA match against Everton - but knowing him, he'll go for the kill (while of course resting a few who are in desperate need).
The game against Sunderland is vital, and I'm sure that 3 days of freshening up will do the lads a world of good. A long time since we had that sort of "break", and luckily there's just as long until the game in Portugal.
At Manchester United we turn things around, when they look their worst, and I'm sure, we'll do it again now.
No wonder we are struggling!
Wes and OH have been injured all season.
Nani and Anderson are not progressing.
Neville and Scholes are just too old to keep up with the pace of the modern game. Fergie is the only living human being who does not see this.
Berbatov is a luxury player who is not prepared to do the graveyard shift.
Too many games and too many injuries are now catching up.