Defiant Ferguson has no FA Cup regrets

Sir Alex Ferguson insisted here on Monday he had no regrets over the composition of Manchester United’s side for their FA Cup semi-final loss to Everton.

The Toffees penalty shoot-out victory at Wembley on Sunday ended United’s hopes of winning five major trophies in the one season.

But the match might never have gone to spot-kicks had Ferguson fielded his best team.

Instead the veteran manager gave Federico Macheda his first senior start and Fabio da Silva only his second with the inclusion of the likes of Danny Welbeck, Darron Gibson, Rafael da Silva and Anderson making United’s team at Wembley one of the most inexperienced Ferguson had sent out for a major match.

Meanwhile Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney and Edwin van der Sar, who are all back in the side for champions United’s Premier League match at home to Portsmouth on Wednesday, didn’t even make the trip to London.

Ferguson’s team selection for the semi-final led to accusations he was devaluing the FA Cup.

But with the match coming in amongst a crowded fixture schedule for United, who’ve already won the Club World Cup and the English League Cup this season and are top of the Premier League as well as being in the semi-finals of the Champions League, Ferguson was not backing away from his Wembley choice.

“I am absolutely convinced I picked the right team,” he told reporters here on Monday. “I have no regrets about it at all.

“After yesterday (Sunday), I knew there would be some criticism because it did not work for us.

“It is not nice to lose a semi-final and this one is no different.

“But there is enough freshness in the rest of the squad for Wednesday now, which is how we planned it.”

“There are seven Premier League games left. We want to whittle them down one by one. That’s our intention.”

United have a one point lead at the top of the table.

But they could be replaced at the summit before they kick-off against Pompey if nearest challengers Liverpool defeat Arsenal at Anfield on Tuesday.

However, United remain favourites for the title as they boast a game in hand over their rivals although Ferguson admitted his side’s attempts to land further silverware this season were being hampered by a new problem.

“It is tiredness that we are trying to deal with after Sunday,” he explained. “We’re entering a very busy spell where it’s game after game after game. Hopefully, I will pick the right teams for the right games.

“I can understand after Sunday some criticism.

“But I wanted to play the team I picked yesterday and we’re pleased with the contribution of the young boys.”

Rooney, who has scored 17 times for his club this season, is expected to start against a Portsmouth side who are still not yet safe from relegation after Ferguson dismissed rumours the England striker had suffered a serious foot injury.