Criticism stung United into action, claims happy Ferguson

ALEX FERGUSON is convinced Manchester United were stung into FA Cup semi-final glory by the avalanche of criticism which engulfed them in the wake of last week’s nightmare at Norwich.

The Red Devils set up a mouth-watering May 21 final meeting with Arsenal but, in the build-up, Gary Neville had spoken of his frustration at the former United players who had condemned the Carrow Road debacle. Ferguson believes the attacks formed the basis of a vastly-improved performance, which keeps United on target to successfully defend the trophy for the first time in their history.

“Last Saturday, quite rightly, the players were criticised,” said the long-serving Scot. “They let a lot of people down - including themselves - with a performance that was not acceptable. Players do not like criticism and maybe that had something to do with what happened today. We needed to remind everyone just what Man Utd is all about. I never had any doubt they would come back. The ability in the squad is fantastic, but you have to work in life. No-one knocks at your door and gives you money. You have to go out and earn it.”Van Nistelrooy has been one of the major players pinpointed for United’s recent below-par displays. In eight games since his return from an Achilles injury, the normally prolific Dutchman has barely looked like scoring, let alone actually managing it.

But, that all changed yesterday. “The first goal was typical Ruud,” said Ferguson. “It came out of nothing. There was no power to it and, from the position he was in, the goalkeeper could not have expected him to place it the way he did. Everyone in the dressing room is delighted for him because, as with most strikers, when they are scoring they don’t think they can miss, when they are not, they don’t think they are ever going to get one.

“It has been difficult for Ruud and maybe we made a mistake rushing him back so quickly, but it was a sensible mistake if you can call it that. We knew 10 days’ training before the Milan game was not enough, but what do you do, keep him in the stand knowing he could score a hat-trick.

“What we are hoping for now is that Ruud maintains his scoring form and starts to notch on a regular basis. When he does do that he is unstoppable.”

The prospect of a first final confrontation with Arsenal since Alan Sunderland’s late winner the Gunners a 3-2 win in 1979 is one to savour given the obvious bad blood which exists between the two clubs.