Manchester United Football Club News

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

• Ground:Old Trafford
• Capacity:68,174

Ferguson rues away goals

08 Apr 2009 - 07:14:47

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Sir Alex Ferguson admitted Manchester United only had themselves to blame after being held to a 2-2 draw by FC Porto in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final.

United had conceded early on at Old Trafford on Tuesday night before fighting back only to allow an unmarked Mariano to snatch a shock equaliser.

The reigning European champions must now become the first English team to defeat the Portuguese side on their own ground if they are to reach the last four.

"We only have ourselves to blame," said Ferguson after his side conceded two potentially costly away goals.

"To get a goal late on is quite a normal situation for us. But the one we gave away was absolutely terrible.

"You couldn't say it was a great goal or a manufactured goal but we just made the kind of mistake we are making at the moment."

Speaking about the second leg, he added: "No British team has won there, so it is going to be difficult.

"But we are used to being first and we need to be first again because we have to win."

Meanwhile, Ferguson admitted he will have a defensive headache on his hands for Saturday's trip to Sunderland after seeing Jonny Evans join fellow centre-half Rio Ferdinand on the sidelines with a groin injury.

"Rio was nowhere near being fit tonight, so it is difficult to see him being fit for Saturday," he added.

"Jonny should be okay in a week but he is a 21-year-old lad and this is what happens when you play two big games in three days."