Ferguson wary of Cup ´shocks´

Sir Alex Ferguson has admitted he picked the wrong team for Manchester United’s shock FA Cup defeat to Leeds last season.

United went out of the competition at the first hurdle last year, losing 1-0 to Leeds after fielding a weakened team in the third-round tie at Old Trafford.

Arch-rivals Liverpool arrive at Old Trafford on Sunday seeking to inflict another early exit on the Premier League leaders.

“The FA Cup is the FA Cup,” Ferguson said.

“It is a tournament in which you can never be sure about, we made a mistake last year, picking a team, which we thought would be good enough to beat Leeds and yet we were reminded that the FA Cup is a cup which has shocks in.”

“We got a shock last year and hopefully we don’t get one this year. I think I picked the wrong team last year and hopefully I don’t pick the wrong one this year.”

Ferguson is hopeful that striker Wayne Rooney and veteran goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar will recover in time to play a part on Sunday.

“Well we’re hoping that Edwin and Wayne are fit for Sunday, I think that is important for the main reason that Wayne’s form has been fantastic and I’m really pleased with the way he’s performing and then Edwin’s experience,” Ferguson said.

“I’ve no definite indication that they are going to be fit but they have a chance. Other than that it will be the same squad which we’ve been operating with.”