Fergie's Still Up For the Cup!
Fergie Wants It!
By Chris O'Brien
January 2 2004
Sir Alex Ferguson has insisted he is still desperate for United to win the F.A Cup despite speculation that the Scotsman has lost interest in the competition. The Red Devils caused controversy by pulling out of the Cup in the 1999/2000 season to compete in the disappointing World Club Championship.
| Ferguson's Still Up For the Cup! |
| Sir Alex Ferguson is desperate for
United to win the F.A Cup, with the Red Devils' name not having been on the
famous trophy since the 1999 Treble winning year. The following season United were embroiled in controversy after the club did not compete in the competition, and instead opted to compete in the one-off World Club Championship. The competition, which saw United take a month off, failed to attract the attention of the football public as FIFA had hoped, and as it was United went out in the preliminary stages after a couple of lacklustre performances. I, and many other supporters, were left bitterly disappointed by the clubs option to play in the competition staged in Brazil, although it is common belief that government pressure was the driving force for United to forfeit a place in the F.A Cup. It was hoped United's inclusion in the competition would help England's World Cup bid. It didn't! Since that season, United have failed to put together an impressive run in the competition with early exits to West Ham United, Middlesbrough and Arsenal in recent seasons. The poor performance from the Red Devils in the greatest Cup competition in the world has fuelled media speculation that Ferguson no longer is bothered by the competition, and is more interested in United's campaigns in the Premiership and the European Cup. However, the Scotsman has told the press he wants to win the F.A Cup more than ever. "It hasn't changed for us. We like to be involved in it but we have had difficult draws in the last five years, Middlesbrough away, Villa twice," said Ferguson. "We have some stinking draws. In the FA Cup you like a home draw but we haven't got it, so it makes it more difficult for us to get over this one at Villa Park. "Any trophy is special. Winning trophies in England is not easy. There are a lot of big clubs vying for the same thing. We all want to win it. "Sometimes your name is on it and that is what we hope for this year." United kick off their Cup campaign on Sunday with a visit to Villa Park. The Red Devils will face another tough test as the take on as Aston Villa side who have won six of their last eight fixtures. "I look upon the Villa game as a really tough match. You couldn't get a harder away draw in the FA Cup," he said. "Two years ago we were 2-0 down with 13 minutes to go and then two great goals from Ruud van Nistelrooy clinched it for us. It has that special thing about it. "It's a fantastic competition." added Fergie. |