Sir Alex Ferguson admitted his side 'must do better' if they
are to reach the Worthington Cup final in March.
Despite naming a virtual full-strength line-up, Ferguson saw his
Manchester United suffer a night of frustration against
Blackburn at Old Trafford, David Thompson quickly levelling Paul
Scholes' opener to ensure the visitors take a 1-1 draw into the
second leg at Ewood Park on January 22.
Only a brilliant last-gasp chest off the line by young defender
James McEveley prevented Ole Gunnar Solskjaer giving United a
narrow win but Ferguson agreed with opposite number Graeme
Souness that a home victory would have been rough justice for
Rovers.
``Blackburn were the better team, particularly in the second
half,'' admitted the Red Devils chief.
``They were confident, played good football and we found it
difficult.
``It was a great block by the young lad at the end. I thought it
had hit the post but he must have done really well to get back
there.''
Only Scholes and David Beckham fired for the home team and it
was no surprise that it was the England skipper's cross which
landed at his team-mate's feet before he forced it beyond Brad
Friedel.
Ruud van Nistelrooy missed two good chances either side of the
interval, while concern over Ryan Giggs' form must be growing,
despite recent assuring words from his manager.
The United fans expressed their displeasure at the Welshman's
contribution on more than one occasion and hailed the arrival of
Solskjaer as his replacement midway through the second-half.
Not that Ferguson was entirely happy with the supporters either,
feeling there was a lack of atmosphere despite a 62,000-strong
crowd.
``Overall it was a strange game. The first-half was lukewarm and
it lacked the passion of a semi-final,'' he said.
``I'm sure the second leg will be different. We will have to
play better and I think we will.''
Ferguson confirmed skipper Roy Keane, along with long-term
injury victim Nicky Butt, the only United regular not part of
last night's squad, should be fit to face West Brom on Saturday
after limping out of the FA Cup win over Portsmouth.
There was also some good news on the fitness front for Souness,
who believes Damien Duff has an outside chance of facing
Sunderland at the weekend, although that was tempered by the
likely loss of David Dunn with a recurrence of his recent calf
problem.
Thompson also limped off with a twisted ankle just after his
goal and he too faces a struggle to make the trip to Wearside.
However, Souness' post-match concern is to try and ensure the
yellow card dished out to Australian defender Lucas Neill five
minutes from time is overturned by referee Uriah Rennie.
Neill was penalised for tumbling in the box under pressure from
Mikael Silvestre. Television replays showed it was a 50-50 clash
and, while penalties have been given for less, Souness was in a
state of shock at Rennie's apparent belief that Neill had dived,
dishing out a caution which would rule the player out of the
second leg.
``I don't know how he can reach that decision and we will ask
him to look at it again,'' said Souness.
``I actually thought the referee had a decent game overall but
it wasn't a dive and it would be unfair if he had to miss the
return game because of it.''
For all that frustration though, the Blackburn chief feels he
has unearthed a gem in McEveley, a Rovers trainee 12 short
months ago.
``He is composed, aggressive, has a wonderful physique, is part
Scottish and good looking - so he doesn't have too much going
for him,'' smiled the former international hard-man.
``He was playing against the England captain in David Beckham
and handled the situation well. He has a real chance of being a
player.'' |
