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Manchester United still on course for five trophies
(China Daily)
Updated: 2009-01-09 10:40

DERBY -- Alex Ferguson said Manchester United were lucky to still be on course for five trophies this season after their shock 1-0 League Cup semifinal, first leg defeat against Derby County.


Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo (L) tussles with Derby County's Steve Davies (R) during their English League Cup soccer match at Pride Park in Derby, central England January 7, 2009. [Agencies]
The Manchester United manager was punished by the side languishing 18th in the Championship for fielding a vastly-weakened side, with only Serbian Nemanja Vidic and Paul Scholes beginning the game decided by Kris Commons' wonderful 30th minute goal.

Ferguson clearly had one eye on Sunday's crucial Premier League meeting with rivals Chelsea at Old Trafford and that was part of his team thinking but even the 60th minute double substitution of Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney could not prevent overwhelming favorites United from slipping to their fourth defeat of the season against the side that was relegated from the Premier League eight months ago with 11 points, the worst total ever recorded.


Derby County's Paul Connolly tackles Manchester United's Carlos Tevez (R) during their English League Cup soccer match at Pride Park in Derby, central England January 7, 2009. [Agencies]
Such was the depressing nature of United's lethargic performance, Ferguson cannot wait for the return leg on Jan 20 and is delighted to still be in with a chance of claiming a place in the final on Sunday, March 1.

"Only losing 1-0 was a fantastic result for us. Considering the performance. We could have lost four goals. It's a fantastic result for us now and going to Old Trafford now it will be different," said Ferguson.

"We just did not play well and over-worried about their crossing and set pieces and we were panicky at the back."

Despite the heavy workload ahead for his side, Ferguson insists he will not be recalling all his big-name players for the second leg and refused to criticize youngsters like Darron Gibson and Danny Wellbeck, who will be given another chance to make amends.

Agencies

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