Souness takes diplomatic line

Graeme Souness was anxious not to “pull Manchester United’s tail and make them angry” ahead of tomorrow’s Worthington Cup semi-final clash at Old Trafford – but his Blackburn assistant Tony Parkes had already given it a sharp tug.

After concluding discussions with prospective loan signing Phillipe Leonard faster than anticipated, Souness made himself available to discuss Rovers’ first-leg tie against Alex Ferguson’s men.

No, he was not confident, despite his team’s 1-0 victory over the same opponents last month.

Yes, it will be difficult, pointing to United’s imperious performances against Sunderland and Portsmouth in the last seven days.

“I don’t want to pull their tail and make them angry,” he added.

“With the talent they have, Manchester United can put five goals past any team in the Premiership, especially at Old Trafford.

“We’ll be on the back foot for most of the game and our only aim is to still have a fighting chance for the second match at Ewood Park.”

It was Souness at his diplomatic best. What he did not know was that Parkes, who had met the media as his manager’s stand-in barely 30 minutes before, had revealed what the Rovers camp really think of the current Red Devils crop.

“It’s not the Manchester United of three or four years ago,” said Parkes. “They are not unbeatable anymore.

“It’s partly because we have gained confidence from performing well against them in the past and partly because they have come down a level.

“There’s no guarantee that they will win anything this season so the Worthington Cup is now higher on their list of priorities.

“We know they will put out a strong team and it will be a difficult tie, but we are confident we can go there and get a decent result.”

Publicly, Souness is hardly likely to endorse those comments but they do fuel a belief that Rovers are primed to inflict the first domestic semi-final defeat Ferguson has suffered in 16 years as United manager.

No doubt it is a task which appeals to Souness’ competitive nature.

Now approaching his 50th year, the former midfield hard man continues to relish confrontation.

The highlight of his season so far was running the gauntlet of hate which rolled off the Parkhead terraces when he took his side to Celtic in the UEFA Cup.

The veracity of the abuse will not be quite as high at Old Trafford tomorrow but, as a Liverpool legend, a warm welcome is not anticipated.

“Every game turns me on, the bigger the better,” he said.

“I’m excited about tomorrow but I’m also envious of the players.

“There will be 67,000 people in the ground and the vast majority don’t want you to win. It’s an enormous test, just like going to Parkhead, Anfield or Highbury.

“My players didn’t bottle it at Celtic. We dominated the game and lost 1-0. We have young players who should go out and enjoy it. They will be richer for the experience.”

Former Old Trafford favourite Andy Cole will return to the visitors’ line-up after being rested for Saturday’s FA Cup win at Aston Villa.

He will partner another ex-United man, Dwight Yorke, in attack, the Trinidadian fresh from his brace against Villa which rammed the taunts of the home fans who used to adore him firmly back down their throats.

Midfielder David Thompson is also set for a recall, although Souness has problems in defence where Craig Short is a definite absentee with a hamstring problem and Martin Taylor is nursing a sore back.

The anticipated arrival of Leonard from Monaco by the end of the week will not offer any relief either.

The Belgium international has returned to France to discuss the move with his family but even if he makes the switch, he is unlikely to see first-team action until next month after falling out of favour with his current club’s coaching staff.

United felt aggrieved by their pre-Christmas defeat at Ewood Park, where Garry Flitcroft clinched victory shortly before the interval, believing they had created enough chances to have won the game themselves.

Souness does not feel that result will have any impact on what happens tomorrow and believes the fans could be in for a spectacular evening.

“There’s no secret to the way Manchester United play,” he said. “They will come after us.

“What we must do is make sure they don’t sink their teeth into our neck for any period of time.

“It could be an exciting evening because it isn’t my style to play one up front and try to get a goalless draw. I don’t have the players to do it anyway. We’ll try to give them a game.”