Source: Daily_Mail
Manchester United boss Alex Ferguson insists he will field strong team for Liverpool showdown
Sir Alex Ferguson will take nothing for granted ahead of Manchester United's blockbuster FA Cup tie with Liverpool on Sunday.[LNB]Ferguson has an excellent record in the world's oldest cup competition, winning the trophy on five occasions.[LNB]However, last season brought one of his least favourite moments as United were dumped out in the third round for the first time since he arrived at Old Trafford in 1986.[LNB] Little to smile about: Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson at last season's FA Cup clash with Leeds[LNB]Even worse, defeat came at Old Trafford, at the hands of a Leeds side who were trying to gain promotion out of League One.[LNB]So, with the standard of opposition far higher, and the rivalry just as intense, Ferguson has no intention of making life easy for the Merseyside giants.[LNB]'It was a bad result last season against Leeds, especially considering the rivalry between the two clubs,' Ferguson said.[LNB]'In hindsight I could have picked a stronger team. I won't be making that mistake this time.'[LNB]Having left Rio Ferdinand, Wayne Rooney and Edwin van der Sar out of his starting line-up to face Stoke last night, Ferguson has experienced options at his disposal.[LNB]He also has a former Liverpool player in Michael Owen, who was on target for the Reds when they last travelled to Old Trafford for an FA Cup tie in 1999.[LNB]That game was remarkable for the fact Liverpool led for 85 minutes, yet contrived to lose thanks to late goals from Dwight Yorke and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.[LNB]'I don't forget Michael Owen's goal,' recalled Ferguson. 'It was a header and Gary Neville was caught napping at the back post. But we battered them after that.'[LNB] Remember this one? Michael Owen (left) celebrates after giving Liverpool the lead in 1999 but Ole Solksjaer (right) and United had the last laugh[LNB] United famously went on to beat Newcastle in the final, completing the second leg of their momentous Treble.[LNB]And though they have been to three finals since, they have won just one, when they beat Millwall at the Millennium Stadium in 2004.[LNB]It is a statistic Ferguson feels needs to be put right, telling Inside United: 'It is an important trophy so there is a strong desire to get our hands on it.[LNB]'We haven't won it since 2004, or been to Wembley in the final since we lost to Chelsea in 2007. So we definitely want to get back there. And we want to win it.'[LNB] We can match Arsenal and go whole season unbeaten! Nani believes Manchester United can win title and not lose a single gameRooney ruled out of Stoke clash to save him for showdown with LiverpoolMANCHESTER UNITED FC
