Ferguson desperate to avoid trophy misery
Alex Ferguson reckons the only way to truly enjoy a cup final is to win it - and he should know.
The Manchester United boss will be taking part in his 22nd major showpiece occasion when he leads his side out for tomorrow’s Carling Cup showdown with Wigan at the Millennium Stadium.
On 14 of those previous occasions, Ferguson has come out on top, while seven have ended in defeat, most recently last season’s FA Cup final to Arsenal.
So, the parting words to his players as they leave the dressing room will not be “enjoy yourself”, just “win the thing”.
“When you lose a final, it hurts deeply,” he said.
“It is sickening. You can see it in the faces of the players afterwards and I don’t want to experience that this weekend.
“I always say the only way you can enjoy a cup final is by winning it but we will have to perform.”
Rio Ferdinand’s return from a hamstring injury will supply added steel to the United defence and with Wes Brown also likely to start, it is probable neither of Ferguson’s recent £12million signings Nemanja Vidic and Patrice Evra will start.
Currently 12 points adrift of Chelsea and out of Europe and the FA Cup, tomorrow’s occasions represents United’s last realistic chance of winning a trophy this term.
Given they ended last season without any silverware, the importance of victory cannot be understated.
And, while it is accepted even within United circles the competition was fourth on their list of priorities, Ferguson is adamant the League Cup should not be dismissed as a meaningless non-event.
“You have to take winning one trophy – no matter what it is – as a successful season, purely because of the competition we face nowadays,” he said.
“There was a cynicism about the League Cup but it was only created because of the demands of Europe.
“Before the Champions League started, most clubs had a go for the League Cup but once the group stages started in the Champions League, it was very difficult for the top clubs to play their strongest teams.
“But the people running the League Cup had a rethink, they allowed teams in Europe to come in one round later and because of that, the bigger teams are getting to the final again.”
United’s record in the competition is not good, with their only triumph coming against Nottingham Forest in 1992.
Ryan Giggs is the only survivor from that Wembley win, so the Red Devils have incentive enough to defeat the Latics and their hunger has only been increased by the horrific injury which consigned Alan Smith to a hospital bed.
Smith has wisely opted not to make the journey to south Wales as he continues his recovery from a broken leg.
But the England star knows there will be plenty of warm thoughts heading his way anyway.
“We are all really disappointed for Alan,” said skipper Gary Neville.
“He is a good solid lad with a great attitude. I am sure he will be back with us next season.”
