Fergie’s trubute to Burton’s Cup heroes

MANCHESTER UNITED manager Alex Ferguson paid tribute to non-league Burton Albion after they held his side to a goalless draw in the FA Cup and then admitted he was relieved to still be in the competition.

Ferguson was furious with his team’s insipid performance in a third round tie in which Conference side Burton were the better performers, and he may well face criticism for once again fielding a weakened side - just as he did against Exeter last year.

But despite seeing his decision to rest Rio Ferdinand, Ryan Giggs and Gary Neville backfire, he retained his composure to look on the bright side of a result that leaves United with a replay to play next week and plenty of food for thought.

“I’m disappointed it’s a replay, but at least it’s at Old Trafford. We’re still in the Cup and that’s the main thing. It’s the nature of the FA Cup: a difficult pitch and committed opponents who work their socks off.

“It’s good for football. Burton have done the Conference proud. Until this year the FA Cup was going a bit flat in terms of shocks, but the Conference sides have done fantastic this season. They showed a lot of commitment. They gave us a good game and I didn’t expect anything else.

“But if we’d taken our chances we’d be through. We had two good chances in the first-half with Louis Saha and Richard Jones and a couple of chances after half-time. If we’d taken one of those we’d be in the next round.”

Burton manager Nigel Clough was more effusive. And rightly so.

“We were magnificent,” he said. “My players gave everything and I’m very proud of them. When they brought Rooney and Ronaldo on I thought, ‘blimey, we’re in trouble’. I was really starting to get worried - but we survived it. I never really thought from the start that we would get a draw, but we have and it’s wonderful. My message to the lads for the replay at Old Trafford will be exactly the same: just go out an enjoy yourselves.”

Burton captain Darren Stride, who has been at the club for 14 years and is the only local in the team, typified the courage of his side by picking up a groin injury early on but completing the match.

He said: “It means so much to me coming from the area, I’ve been here a long time and I know what it means to all the fans here. It’s going to give everybody a chance to go to Old Trafford.

“The people who wanted to see this game live and didn’t get the chance can now go to Old Trafford, one of the best stadiums in the world, and watch Burton Albion play. Isn’t the FA Cup wonderful?”

Perhaps somebody ought to tell Sir Alex.