Source: Manchester_EveningNews
Giggs: We need Derby pride
RECENT history is in United's favour for next week's Carling Cup derby shoot-out at Old Trafford. Last season, after losing last January at Pride Park against Derby County in the Carling Cup semi first leg, United overturned the Championship side's advantage to win the return 4-2. But United's scorer at Eastlands says the Reds must rediscover a killer touch. "I hope the second leg is similar to last season's against Derby County because we beat Derby comprehensively," he said. "We hope we can do that again but obviously this is going to be tough. City are a good team. However, there were enough signs there late on for us that we can beat them. "We created plenty of chances but didn't have that stroke of luck or composure with our finishing. Hopefully, we will have that in the second leg. "We created enough opportunities and if that pattern continues in the second game we must put the chances away this time." Forty years ago City had a similar 2-1 home advantage going into the League Cup semi-final second leg at Old Trafford. Wembley The Blues' lead in December 1969 was the platform for a return that saw them draw 2-2 at the Reds' HQ and progress to Wembley. And although Giggs scored a 17th minute opener on Tuesday, he was left to rue a performance that has given the Blues hope. "It was a perfect start. Going 1-0 ahead away from home is what you want to do in a semi-final," added the 36-year-old. "After that we weren't as crisp with our passing. We kept going back and let City back into it really. "They got the penalty which you could argue was dubious, but there is nothing we can do about it now. We felt we were maybe a little bit unlucky to go in 1-1 but we knew we could have played better. "The penalty was a turning point. I think if we had gone in 1-0 at half-time it would have been a different story. "Sometimes you get decisions sometimes you don't and you just have to get on with it. We came out second half and they scored from a set piece which is always disappointing. After that we played really well and deserved an equaliser." PATRICE Evra is one of only two Premier League players named in uefa.com's team of the year for 2009. The Reds defender is joined by Chelsea skipper John Terry in the line up with Cristiano Ronaldo also included. What do you think? Have your say.
