Fergie rues away goals

[WassTaffy]

Sir Alex Ferguson admitted Manchester United only had themselves to blame after being held to a 2-2 draw by FC Porto in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final.

United had conceded early on at Old Trafford on Tuesday night before fighting back only to allow an unmarked Mariano to snatch a shock equaliser.

The reigning European champions must now become the first English team to defeat the Portuguese side on their own ground if they are to reach the last four.

"We only have ourselves to blame," said Ferguson after his side conceded two potentially costly away goals.

"To get a goal late on is quite a normal situation for us. But the one we gave away was absolutely terrible.

"You couldn't say it was a great goal or a manufactured goal but we just made the kind of mistake we are making at the moment."

Speaking about the second leg, he added: "No British team has won there, so it is going to be difficult.

"But we are used to being first and we need to be first again because we have to win."

Meanwhile, Ferguson admitted he will have a defensive headache on his hands for Saturday's trip to Sunderland after seeing Jonny Evans join fellow centre-half Rio Ferdinand on the sidelines with a groin injury.

"Rio was nowhere near being fit tonight, so it is difficult to see him being fit for Saturday," he added.

"Jonny should be okay in a week but he is a 21-year-old lad and this is what happens when you play two big games in three days."



Mat

[stepgen]

I thought i would never say this but i wish he had left John O'Shea on instead of sticking on Neville. We just have to win the away leg, just makes things a little bit more arkward

[WassTaffy]

Originally Posted by stepgen

I thought i would never say this but i wish he had left John O'Shea on instead of sticking on Neville. We just have to win the away leg, just makes things a little bit more arkward

I thought I would never say this, but maybe it's time Gary joined his brother at Everton? Don't get me wrong, he'll always be a legend at United, but the injuries and lack of pace are starting to annoy me a wee bit now, last few games he's had have been shockers (IMO) and I can't see him improving. Sad I know, but true unfortunately

[blacksun]

I'm surprised Neville came back at all TBH. I think Fergie maybe being a little sentimental with his former captian. I don't think he will be at OT, as a player at least next year. Altho personally I'd be happy to see him, O'Shea and Evans in Utd's back 4 for years to come

[tricks27]

personally the worst player on the pitch was Evra

he was lazy and should have been off long ago, when jonny evans was running himself ragged trying to cover for him he jsut walked back to the defense, and even when he picked up an injury Evra did nothing to help the lad out

i say bye bye to him

at least neville still has the passion and tries to run even if he is old and past it, he will never be sold though he'll go into coaching or whatever for man u

[WassTaffy]

Originally Posted by tricks27

at least neville still has the passion and tries to run even if he is old and past it, he will never be sold though he'll go into coaching or whatever for man u

Agreed, the only problem I see is him not being ready to retire, but unable to keep his place in the first team. A 'caught between a rock and a hard place' situation if you will. I can see him at Everton for a season or two perhaps, then back to United in a coaching capacity, Fergie has already hinted at wanting David Moyes to take over at United when he joins Bobby Charlton upstairs, the two clubs have a good relationship for sure. Will be interesting to see what happens.

Mat