Fergie: United deserved Cup win

Alex Ferguson congratulated his Manchester United team on a “deserved” FA Cup third-round win over Aston Villa as he vowed to continue to battle on three fronts this season.

Ferguson was gearing up for a replay in the midlands until substitute Ole Gunnar Solskjaer scored an injury-time winner to give the hosts a 2-1 verdict following a debut goal for United’s loan signing Henrik Larsson.

“I think we deserved to win the game, because we made a host of chances,” said the United boss.

“But you have to feel a bit for Villa, because when they probably deserved a goal when they really started to become a threat to us – and I’m sure Martin O’Neill will feel gutted at losing a goal so late in the game.”

Solskjaer’s late intervention not only settled the issue but convinced Ferguson his team have the mettle to continue to dig deep in the Cup, the Barclays Premiership and the Champions League too.

“It is always a good indication of a side when they score late goals, because it shows they have a bit about them,” he reasoned.

Asked how optimistic he is that his team can keep going in all competitions, he told Sky Sports News: “We have to go for it. There’s no point being negative; you have to be positive and see where it takes you.”

As for his two goalscorers, Ferguson was delighted with their all-round efforts – particularly the first impression made by Larsson.

“We had to find out about him. Playing at home in this game was a great chance to do that, and I am pleased with him,” he said.

“He’s been looking terrific in training and he could have scored three or four goals.”

Evergreen Solskjaer, who came on in the second half for Larsson, once again came up trumps for United when his shot squirmed under the body of Villa goalkeeper Gabor Kiraly.

“When Ole gets in these positions you always expect him to hit the target,” said Ferguson.

“To have nine goals so far is a phenomenal effort – I don’t think anybody expected him to score so many by this time of the year.”