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

Comment 29 - 48 of 68

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  1. With the coming game against Chelsea this weekend, it's almost understandable that Fergie chose the team he did. However, the team as a @#$% underperformed and the performance was unacceptable.
    Wellbeck looked lost up front, and I have no doubt that had Rooney plyed up front, he would have made more of the chances that went begging.
    Nani also did nothing to justify his selection.
    Props to Derby for a magnificent goal though, it was a stunning shot.
    Hopefully, we'll get it right in 2 weeks at Old Trafford, but we must field a stronger team. I don't agree with the fact that the Carling Cup is seen as a lesser trophy that we aren't as bothered about compared with the League title, FA Cup of Champions league. We should play to win everything we can, fielding the strongest side available to us at all times.

    From David, on Thu 8 Jan 1:31PM

  2. You have to lose a few battles to win a war!! Anyone remember the performance against City on the Munich rememberance day?? Terrrible wasnt the word! Did we not kick on and win a couple of trophies after that??? mmmmmmmm
    Chelsea will feel the backlash and we'll kick into another gear after that last night,so in the context of a whole season I think last nights result was a humiliating BUT good result!!

    From paolo, on Thu 8 Jan 1:24PM

  3. aleksander Iwish I a joke ? Becks £122 million ! Ronaldo £49 million I say that damn Clever or you a peabrain

    From PETER K, on Thu 8 Jan 1:24PM

  4. glory glory man u the best in the world.

    From dec40, on Thu 8 Jan 1:05PM

  5. it is more or less certain ManUtd will will the second leg at Old Traford .... You Bet !!! huh

    From ayodele, on Thu 8 Jan 1:00PM

  6. Typical haters hoping and praying in the corner that the world Champs will falter....you should've given up by now as it hasn't worked for over a decade. Instead pray for your teams to catch up and to all you CR7 haters.....seek some self love and it may help you from the hell u're in at the mo. CR7 is world's #1 and deservedly too. ManUtd for CL, PL, FA, Carling and WCC (clean sweep) this season.

    Goons, your problems go beyond Andrei Arshavin or whatever mug you wanna bring in in Jan. like this ia actualy gonna stop you from playing in UEFA cup next season..Lol!!!!!

    From abbay, on Thu 8 Jan 12:57PM

  7. HAHAHAHAHAHAHA i cant laugh more than this Man Utd ur a joke... I totally agree with if u play like this againist Inter they will rip u apart and as 4 gay boy Ronaldo hes better off in a Shampoo commercial like Becks hes a bigger joke than the whole MAn U team...

    From Aleksandar, on Thu 8 Jan 12:53PM

  8. Even Fergie admited when Manu lost but a majority of Manutd fans will say if they wins ""its common thing for Manutd to win "ANY" football match but this time now they lost a game then they will started to say arrg we don't want that Carling cup its a cheap cup competition....what a silly remarks for a bunch of so called fanatic Manutd fans ... what a shame??????huh....

    From ro, on Thu 8 Jan 12:43PM

  9. Atrocious, about the worst Utd performance I've ever seen given the players on view. I can't agree with SAF about Welbeck. He looked out of his depth which is a worry. I thought Evans and Vidic saved us from further humiliation. Well done Derby, I hope Clough gets this kind of performance in every game.

    From Graham P, on Thu 8 Jan 12:40PM

  10. Fergie likes to encourage the teams in the lower league and hardly gets his deserved praise for doing this. he played a very strong side and Derby managed to pull a fast one on them on a sloppy nite. Hopefully Derby will take something from this which will help them in their season but anything more than this like daring to dream of a final in Wembley at the expense of the Red Devils will spell doom for them as it will be strictly Business at OT come a forthnight. Guaranteed!!

    From abbay, on Thu 8 Jan 12:37PM

  11. C'mon Derby! Go to Old Twatford in 2 weeks and park the bus. I hope Inter humiliate Man Ure the same way you guys did. Cristiano Ronaldo reminds me of the guy from Silence of The Lambs who put his boy between his legs to look like a woman. YNWA! Yippee!!

    From James, on Thu 8 Jan 12:36PM

  12. this was because Berba was missing, it's a fact......

    From dimitar_arn, on Thu 8 Jan 12:36PM

  13. Derby did well last nite against united following in the footsteps of Burnley who took the game to Spurs. The difference is ManU have a BIG, BIG game coming up in a few days when the Blues come to OT and this you can sense was on the minds of the players and everyone of them was trying to avoid getting injured b4 thatgame. I want Derby to come with the same approach in the return leg at OT.....OMG!!! please Derby, shine the horns and bring it on!!.....AND THE REDS KEEP MARCHING ON!!!!

    From abbay, on Thu 8 Jan 12:30PM

  14. i was hoping that the ferrari was ok and Mr love himself was a write off!!!!!!!!!!!

    From Terry D, on Thu 8 Jan 12:07PM

  15. Just been on Sky Sports Ronaldo has been in car accident.Says he is o.k,but his ferrai(spelling?)is a write off.

    From , on Thu 8 Jan 11:53AM

  16. YSE I LOVE M/UNITED THEY ARE MY TEAM BUT THEY FORK ME UP IN YESTERDAY GAME SO ALL I WANT THEM TO DO IS TO GO AND WIN THE SECOND LEG FOR WE THE FANS THAT IS ALL............AND LET THEM KNOW THAT THEY ARE TILL THE CHAPIOOOOON...........

    From samson, on Thu 8 Jan 11:45AM

  17. Man Utd faults at the moment are they just want to walk the ball into the net all the time and lack any real striking presence like they did last season with Ronaldo.
    Also the midfield need to learn how to tackle the opposition, and not allow them to run the full length of the pitch into the danger zones.
    Hopefully last night is a lesson they will learn from. Maybe they will win Chelsea on Sunday, what do you think???
    Utd supporter

    From jason, on Thu 8 Jan 11:33AM

  18. LEAGUE CUP = BOTHERED!!

    From Gary, on Thu 8 Jan 11:31AM

  19. thats the first time ferguson, has admitted how poor utd were, he must be going soft!

    From trev, on Thu 8 Jan 11:29AM

  20. hey isnt it good when we can agree over something with liverpool fans must admit not sure if benitez would have been so honest i think fergie is original in his attitude WELL DONE fergie.
    I am looking forward to chelsea now, and keep it up Liverpool its great to have them in the title race football needs it.

    From chris w, on Thu 8 Jan 11:27AM
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