Carling Cup - Ferguson: 'Lucky United were so bad'

Eurosport - Thu, 08 Jan 13:18:00 2009

Relieved Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson admitted his side were lucky to escape with a 1-0 Carling Cup defeat at Derby.

FOOTBALL 2008-2009 Carling Cup Derby-Manchester United Anderson Scholes Welbeck Tevez - 0

United slid to a shock reverse against the Championship outfit in the first leg of their semi-final.

It gives United a major job to complete at Old Trafford in a fortnight if they are to book a final appearance - almost certainly against Tottenham - at Wembley on March 1.

But, as far as Ferguson is concerned, at least United can still get there, Derby's wastefulness offering a reprieve the Scot is certain his side will take full advantage of.

"We could have lost by more," admitted Ferguson.

"We were lucky. We were so bad that Derby will rue the fact they didn't score more.

"In any semi final you hope to give yourself that breathing space.

"But we expect to recover a 1-0 deficit against anyone at Old Trafford and I am sure we will."

Ferguson acknowledged Nigel Clough's presence may also have been a major influence even though the new Derby boss was only watching from the Pride Park stands.

"It happens so many times historically, there is no rhyme or reason to it," he said.

"A few years ago we played West Ham and Alan Curbishley had just taken over and they beat us 1-0. It is a strange thing."

Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney and Michael Carrick came off the bench for United, although it was youngsters Darron Gibson and Danny Welbeck who received most praise and an assurance over their place for the decider.

"The young lads did well," said Ferguson.

"Darron Gibson was one of our best players and he deserves his place. The younger ones will play again."

Sporting Life / Eurosport

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  1. what is it with man u fans derby county a very small club compared with man u beat them totally out played them most of the match and got a very good result and what comments do they put wait till old trafford we should be ashamed ect derby were lucky saf didnt play right cmon lads just admit that derby were as your manager said the better team old trafford dont matter now lads you lost at the park your team consissts of 100s of millions of pounds worth of talent that just werent up to the job on the night

    From ALAN W, on Fri 9 Jan 11:51AM

  2. As the old words go, the luck lurks on the side of the weak. If derby lost, it would seem so obvious....bt since they won, they seem like overnight heroes and someone has the slimy guts to say that derby was the better team.
    Another thing is that whether they win or not, its not manutd's to lose. Glad it was not a worthwhile cup.

    From Majoser, on Fri 9 Jan 11:29AM

  3. Must agree that Derby deserved winning but Utd will demolish them in z 2nd leg as well as Chelsea on Sunday.Utd need a defeat to boost up n up their morals. from now z winning will start again crushing all opponents on their way..there's only one United...

    From Abdullahjee, on Fri 9 Jan 6:15AM

  4. You are a typical ASSANAL fan.Adebayor made history with derby and wer is adebayor and your team onthe table?you not sure to end up 5th.Lekedor,show some respect to the champions.Derby will pay for being too ambisious at old trafford

    From bobmanuel, on Fri 9 Jan 4:58AM

  5. here comes the down fall of man u.

    From , on Thu 8 Jan 10:20PM

  6. Whats a world camps ????? lol you will be losing 2 in a row come sunday

    From DAVID J, on Thu 8 Jan 7:16PM

  7. Teams rise and fall and rise again, but Man Utd has not fallen, defeat to Derby was testing the trouble waters. Have faith in SAF all Man Utd fans, come forthnight Derby will surely pay for trying to humilate the world camps. Peace to the world

    From Agema, on Thu 8 Jan 6:56PM

  8. post 58 paul t so what about chelsea typical MANC you LEMON

    From The Dobbo, on Thu 8 Jan 5:43PM

  9. Both team has been under pressure. Manchester United's players are under pressure to perform in the BPL not to drop any points in any upcoming matches while Derby County are under pressure to perform and survive in the championship. The gaffer of both clubs are under pressure. Derby is undertaking a revolutionary change under long time fan and son of the late Brian Clough, Nigel Clough, Sir Alex is working endlessly for 20 over years. To win this match, a team must equip an edge mentally, hence, Derby may as well had it and they won the match in great determination. Let the best team of the night win. Nice show Rams. Good luck to the red devil. Hope that the second leg will be played in under good sportsmanship, so that people can seek peace in football. Agree, fellow comment-posters?

    From Alwin, on Thu 8 Jan 3:52PM

  10. ok you man u fans you have a great team no one who is a football fan can deny this but cmon you were beaten by a better team on the night one who played with pride and passion and got a great result they beat the best team in the world by hard work at old trafford you may win but you couldnt and didnt do it yet again at derbys homeso give derby credit they were not just lucky they deserved to win and by more than one goal

    From ALAN W, on Thu 8 Jan 3:19PM

  11. at least united didnt get knocked out by burnley oh wait that was chelsea lmfao

    From Paul T, on Thu 8 Jan 3:16PM

  12. Derby Country that Arsenal's Adebayo used to make unprecedented history in the premier league could humuliate Man U like that. Oh, the how are the mighty falling, tell it not in Englah. They will also lose come Sunday 11.01.09 to Chelsea. Man U @#$%. Long Live Arsenal and her Amazing Fanbase plus Me - Lekedor, PH-Naija.

    From Luxy, on Thu 8 Jan 3:03PM

  13. I know man u r still d champs despite yesterday's lose.

    From Geelo, on Thu 8 Jan 2:54PM

  14. man u for all team in europe.the world champions,european champs you are being knocked out with minority the white horses.you saw them coming but you assumed sorry nurse your wounds we are alreadgy healed.arsenal for life.

    From Allan MeyaL, on Thu 8 Jan 2:47PM

  15. dissapointed in man utd last night / hope we dont play like this against chelsea / hope we beat derby in the next game

    From Paul T, on Thu 8 Jan 2:40PM

  16. Hey Ian give Fergy a break.Losing to derby doesn't mean derby is a better side or man u ve stopped being the champions of all champs.I aint a man u fan but i know @#$% happens in football.

    From Geelo, on Thu 8 Jan 2:08PM

  17. im a man u fan and every man u fan should be ashamed we are the european champs we are the world club champs we are the prem champs and to get beat by a championship side is a joke fergy your doing something wrong every one else can see why cant you some players don't want to play for man u we cant pass the ball we cant score what do they do on the training ground drink tea they are a joke they want a good kick up the backside.

    From ian8981, on Thu 8 Jan 1:42PM

  18. ferguson jock P RICK GOONER FOREVER

    From maxdobinson, on Thu 8 Jan 1:41PM

  19. Hope Manchester United and Derby County can play in a good spirit and not lose each other's heads. Hope that the match is played under good sportsmanship. Peace for football.

    From Alwin, on Thu 8 Jan 1:41PM

  20. ...and to all the CR7 boo boys, they will probably never get another World footballer of the year to boo in their lifetime so keep on booing. He is town at a stadium near you every week (for now) but keep booing the way you all booed Figo, Zidane, Ronaldinho....etc across the continent and through your TV screens.

    This one is home made so it's not as genuine.....keep booing him to greater heights!!!!

    From abbay, on Thu 8 Jan 1:33PM
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