Ferguson Defends F.A Cup Team Selection

By Chris O'Brien
January 26 2004

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has defended the team he selected for United's FA Cup tie against Northampton Town. the Scotsman rested Ruud Van Nistelrooy, Roy Keane, Ryan Giggs and Tim Howard for the trip to the Sixfields.

Sir Alex Ferguson has defended his team selection for Manchester United’s FA Cup fourth round tie against Northampton Town.

The Scotsman rested Ruud Van Nistelrooy, Ryan Giggs, Roy Keane and Tim Howard for United’s visit to the Sixfields. Many of the 1,200 travelling Red Devils feared a complacent attitude from Ferguson, with the strike pairing of Diego Forlan and David Bellion looking anything but prolific.

However, despite a few nervous moments the weakened United side put in a professional performance to see off their Third Division opponents and secure a place in the last 16.

"We have European games on the horizon now and we have to be prepared for them," said Sir Alex.

"It is important to keep players playing. We got through which is all that matters but good luck to Northampton in the future.

“I was pleased with the performance. I watched Chelsea's game at Scarborough and I thought 'I can't go through that'.

"In FA Cup games like that there is always a chance that you may end up scrambling through. We didn't scramble today, we won comfortably."