United 'reserves' rampage in Sunderland

13 April 2012

Even Sir Alex Ferguson can have a bad day at the races when his team of reserves are tearing one of the Premiership's pretenders to shreds.

The manner of Manchester United's victory on Wearside was so embarrassingly comfortable that when Andy Cole scored their third in the 66th minute, a beaming Fergie was able to look to the directors' box and mimic riding a finish.

He was checking on the outcome of the 4.15 at York where his 9-1 second favourite Candleriggs had, in fact, failed to complete a totally satisfactory Saturday for the United manager. 'It had a bad draw,' he said.

Yet, there was never any chance of his side failing to deliver in front of Sunderland's record 48,305 Premiership crowd, despite the seven changes to the line-up which pulled off a Champions League win against Olympiakos in -Athens three days earlier.

One predictable absentee was David Beckham, but even his replacement Luke Chadwick, a waif-like, naturally talented footballer certain to find only limited experiences like this one, tormented the home side.

He supplied the cross which led to Stanislav Varga's own goal and then produced a deft pass which brought Cole his second of the week-The only surprise was that Chadwick did not play a part in stand-in captain Ryan Giggs' well-taken goal, which was created by a livewire Cole. Ferguson had dipped into his reserves to rest Beckham, Juan Sebastian Veron and Ruud van Nistelrooy, before Deportivo La Coruna's visit to Old Trafford on Wednesday, as well as contend with Roy Keane's ongoing domestic suspension.

But the performance of the stand-ins will present the United boss with the type of selection problems his Premiership counterparts dream about.

Ferguson said: 'We see Luke train every day and he's a handful, even for our players. He got in the game right away and showed such appetite. It's nice to have that back-up. It's not a problem for me, I've only got six more months to worry about it.

'It's a gamble every time you put out a team. According to some, I was off my head earlier in the week, but there you go. If we didn't have such an important game on Wednesday, I probably would have kept most of them in the team.

'We have to take a long-term view and I think they were sensible changes. We are bringing internationals into the side.

'These players are getting better and better. Nicky Butt was a kid a few years ago and now he's the complete player. He has been a fantastic performer for this club and will always come in and never let you down.'

Kevin Phillips' late goal was absolutely no consolation for a Sunderland public who have now started to demand more from their side.

Fellow striker Niall Quinn delivered a forthright assessment of the club and their pursuit of United and the others in the top five when he said: 'They were ahead in every department and really seemed to turn it on.

'I feel sorry for the Sunderland fans, but that's the way it is. The only solace is that we only have to play them once more. The bad news is that it's at Old Trafford.

'On their day, Liverpool, Arsenal and Leeds can match them for a period of time and we are really trying to get into the next group.

'I think we should worry about getting into the top six because that is our priority.

'We're a top club in terms of supporters with one of the best stadiums in the country but we have to really get ourselves into that leading group. Then, when Fergie retires, we'll have a chance.'

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United 'reserves' rampage in Sunderland

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