Manchester United Football Club News

• Nickname:Red Devils
• Founded:1878
• Manager:Sir Alex Ferguson

• Ground:Old Trafford
• Capacity:68,174

Fergie queries Boro move

19 Mar 2007 - 13:33:16

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Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson believes his Middlesbrough counterpart Gareth Southgate was wrong to rest Mark Viduka and Jonathan Woodgate for the home defeat to Manchester City.

Southgate opted to leave his key duo out of the side knowing that his Boro team would be facing an FA Cup sixth round replay at Old Trafford just over 48 hours later, but Ferguson thinks it was the wrong decision.

"It doesn't worry me if they rest players," he told the Manchester Evening News. "I have the players who can handle playing on Saturday and Monday.

"The people who might be concerned are Charlton and West Ham. If Middlesbrough win, there's no problem.

"But if they lose, it is a different issue altogether. I don't think Charlton will be too pleased about that."

Ferguson, who has included teenager Craig Cathcart in his senior squad for the first time, added: "Obviously it's not ideal to have this replay.

"No-one is saying anyone wanted it, but we've got it and we have to get on with it.

"I always say, if you get a home draw in the FA Cup you're delighted. We've earned that opportunity and hopefully we can take advantage of the home draw."