Sir Alex Ferguson apologises to fans after Crystal Palace defeat

Manchester United

manager, Sir Alex Ferguson has apologised to the fans after the club’s dismal exit from the League Cup last night. Fergie fielded a second string side, which included the likes of Dimitar Berbatov, Park Ji Sung and Antonio Valencia but the performance of the Red Devils last night certainly wasn’t something to be proud of.

“I don’t know where to start to be honest.

“My apologies are to the fans because that was not a Manchester United performance. I don’t want to take anything away from Crystal Palace. I am just very disappointed.”

Crystal Palace took the lead through an impressive strike by Darren Ambrose in the 65th minute before Federico Macheda restored parity from the penalty spot. The score remained unchanged until the final whistle, forcing in an additional 30 minutes of extra time. But Palace seized their moment when Glenn Muray headed in a winner after a brilliant ball in by Ambrose and Dougie Freedman’s side progressed into the semi finals.

Ferguson continued:

“I wish them every success and hope they get to the final because it was a fantastic, mammoth effort from them tonight. Every one of their players worked their socks off to try to get to the semi-final.”

Meanwhile, Freedman was clearly delighted with his team’s win over a Premier League giant and obviously their qualification for the semi finals.

“They [Crystal Palace players] should be proud of themselves.

“They stuck together and I think that was a really good cup tie between two teams who gave everything. In the last 15-20 minutes of extra time the desire shone through in the end. That is what they should be proud of. Sir Alex has a wonderful team, they kept on going.

“We had to dig in and show that hunger and desire to see the tie through and that is what they have done. There was no tactical genius. We had to dig in. I felt we had a good gameplan and I thought every single player stuck to our gameplan.”