Porto blow can be watershed moment: Ferguson

Sir Alex Ferguson claims Manchester United will be galvanised by the ‘watershed’ moment of Porto’s 89th-minute equaliser in Tuesday’s Champions League quarter-final first-leg at Old Trafford.

United, who travel to Sunderland on Saturday in the Premier League, remain in the hunt for an unprecedented haul of five major trophies this season — with the Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup still up for grabs.

The reigning European champions have won just one of their last four games in all competitions, however, and their form has been decidely shaky since the 4-1 Old Trafford hammering at the hands of Liverpool on March 14.

But United boss Ferguson insists that Mariano’s late strike for Porto could now prove to be a decisive factor for his team as they enter the final six weeks of what could be a historic campaign.

Ferguson said: “That goal against Porto was a terrible one to concede, but I am hopeful that it will have an effect on us and prove to be a watershed moment.

“The players were gutted at losing that goal on Tuesday and it was a real kick in the teeth, having just made it 2-1 late in the game.

“But hopefully it means we can now get back to keeping clean sheets again and stop letting in silly goals because that’s what we have to do.”

United are set to be without the injured Rio Ferdinand and Jonny Evans against relegation-threatened Sunderland, with Gary Neville and John O’Shea set to deputise for the pair at the Stadium of Light.

Ferguson’s men remain a point clear of Liverpool with a game in hand following last Sunday’s injury-time victory over Aston Villa at Old Trafford and the United manager believes that win underlined the character of his team.

He said: “It was no accident that we won that game with a goal late on. It has happened too many times for it to be an accident.

“But there is a good, competitive nature at this club and the players have an in-built character. They have that belief and and you saw that last Sunday against Villa.

“It was a significant result, coming from behind, and it showed the character of the team, there is no question about that. It was a fantastic result for us and I think it has galvanised our attempt to win the league title.”

With the trip to Sunderland starting a huge week for United, which also includes the second-leg against Porto and a Wembley FA Cup semi-final against Everton, Ferguson is hopeful that key figures will be fit in time for the cup ties.

He said: “Rio Ferdinand started running on Friday, so he will hopefully be fit for Porto on Wednesday.

“Rafael da Silva returned to training on Tuesday, but he needs a few more days, so he is likely to be ready for the Everton game. Wes Brown will train next week, so that is excellent for us. Having those defenders back will make a big difference for us.”