Fergie seeks to restore pride battered by Exeter

IT IS just as well Alex Ferguson eventually decided against a sunshine break in South Africa next week because he would have had to scrap his holiday and head for the English Riviera instead.

Rather than flying to Johannesburg as Ferguson originally planned, he must accompany his Manchester United team to Devon and attempt to restore the pride so battered by non-league Exeter in what on Saturday nearly became the biggest FA Cup shock of all time.

In his 18 illustrious years as Red Devils manager, the times when fiercely loyal Ferguson has publicly condemned his players can be counted on one hand with a few fingers to spare.