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.

The last time he let the world know how upset his team had made him was at Maine Road two seasons ago when he threatened to throw open the dressing-room doors and allow the fans in to express their disgust at a 3-1 derby defeat.

Ferguson did not quite go that far after Saturday's horror-show goalless draw against the Grecians in the third round at Old Trafford.

But the man who has delivered more trophies than United's vast army of followers could ever have hoped for instead offered a formal apology for one of the worst performances he has been associated with.

"Embarrassment does come into it, I suppose, but I feel more disappointed than anything else," said the Scot.

"It was a totally abject performance, the worst FA Cup display in my whole time as manager here. There is no point looking for reasons.

"If someone had told me before the game that was going to be the score I would have probably hit them. It is hard to get my head round it and I want to apologise to the fans. They deserve far more than that."

Ferguson's reaction was echoed by captain Phil Neville the only member of the United starting line-up to retain his place following Tuesday's 0-0 draw with Tottenham.

Along with Wes Brown and 20-year-old debutant David Jones, Neville was also one of only three men to earn any kind of praise from his manager.

"We got exactly what we deserved," said the England international.

"In fact, on chances created, Exeter probably deserved to win."

Ferguson has already committed himself to playing a far stronger side in the replay at St James's Park.

Nevertheless, the United boss would be totally justified at pointing some accusing fingers at a side which contained six internationals at the start and eight at the end by which time Paul Scholes, Cristiano Ronaldo and Alan Smith had been introduced for what proved an unsuccessful salvage mission.

While it would be churlish to heap too much responsibility for the debacle on to the shoulders of young players such as Chris Eagles, Gerard Pique and Jonathan Spector who will all learn much from the experience the older members of the side must surely accept the blame.

Touted as a replacement for Roy Keane when he arrived from Nantes for 18 months ago, Eric Djemba- Djemba is in danger of eclipsing Ralph Milne as the worst buy Ferguson has ever made.

The Cameroon international has made 37 appearances for the Red Devils 36 too many for most United fans and miserably failed to make any mark in his latest outing as Exeter's enthusiastic battlers swamped midfield.

Former Celtic man Liam Miller is struggling just as badly to make a mark at Old Trafford, while David Bellion looks incapable of operating in the lone striker's role.

Aside from Brown, Neville and Tim Howard whose joint composure stood between United and catastrophe only Jones came out of the game with any credit. Yet even his performance was eclipsed by that of former Red Devils trainee Andy Taylor, who twice came close to giving the visitors a first-half lead.

Exeter were forced to survive a late onslaught to earn their second bite at Ferguson's men, giving 32-year-old boss Alex Inglethorpe an unbelievable start to his managerial career.

"We can't wait for the replay," he said.