Ferdinand: Manchester United Just Don't Get Penalties

The stand-in Manchester United captain has bemoaned referees for failing to award the club penalties.

Apr 20, 2009 5:10:25 AM

In the aftermath of Manchester United and Everton's FA Cup semi-final at Wembley on Sunday, one of the focal points centred around a potential penalty that Red Devils forward Danny Welbeck believed he deserved. The youngster felt he was "blatantly barged" in the box.

Reliable defender Rio Ferdinand has since stated that referees in general are all too wary of awarding spot kicks to the reigning domestic, European and world champions.

Regarding the penalty claim, Ferdinand is quoted by the Daily Post as saying, "I don’t know how the referee didn’t give the penalty but that is the way it goes.

"We don’t get many penalties these days. Referees are reluctant to give them to us.

"Maybe they are being put under pressure by people in the media. We are not going to harp on about it because, in the end, we were not good enough in the shoot-out.

"There was always going to come a day when you don’t have a good time in that situation and this was it."

The FA Cup exit eliminated all talk of Manchester United's pursuit of a quintuple-winning season and set up an all-blue final that will be contested between Everton and Chelsea.

Alan Dawson, Goal.com

Blog: Semi-final sorrow

20/04/2009 12:00, Report by Stewart Gardner


How was the Wembley experience for you? Not great, was it?

United have now played five times at the “new” Wembley. There have been three goalless draws, four penalty shoot-outs and we’ve scored just one goal in normal play...

Yesterday’s semi final eventually finished just shy of seven o'clock in the evening. Ninety thousand people then faced the prospect of battling back to the North West of England, sitting in the clogged traffic around Wembley or shoehorning themselves onto a tube back to Euston. Many fans wouldn’t have got back home before the early hours. That makes life hard for people getting up for work this morning or kids going to school. The only conclusion I can come to is that the FA really aren’t that bothered about the problems faced by fans. I guess when you spend the best part of a billion pounds on a stadium you have to try and claw the cash back somehow.

Expensive tickets and ludicrously overpriced “food” are all part of the Wembley experience – I guess you’d expect that. But what is unforgivable is the state of the pitch. It’s been relayed five times since the stadium reopened in 2007. It’s going to be ripped up again in the summer. It was dry, spongy and cut up badly. Ridiculous. All of the fans that turned up on semi-final weekend surely deserved a lot better.

Still, I wouldn’t have been ranting like this if we’d won. Lots has already been said and written about the team selection. Certainly it was a bit of a shock but it so nearly worked. A United line-up containing four teenagers comfortably held the sixth best team in the Premier League. What an experience for the likes of Macheda, Welbeck and the da Silva twins.

But for a terrible decision by Mike Riley not to give United a

penalty it could have been so different - Welbeck was clearly brought down by Jagielka. Did Riley have David Moyes’ suggestion that he favoured United in his mind when he decided not to point to the spot? We’ll never know.

One man who certainly didn’t deserve to be on the losing side was Nemanja Vidic. An immense performance. Unbeatable at the back and deadly from the spot when the game ended with the great lottery of penalties – he was rightly man of the match.

I can’t begrudge the Everton fans their success. I was travelling with Paddy Crerand on the tube towards Wembley and we had some great banter with some of them. It's nice to find a set of supporters who dislike Liverpool as much as we do!

So, no more talk of the quintuple. But if we can defend the Premier League and Champions League this season, then yesterday’s events at Wembley will be very quickly forgotten.

The views expressed in this blog are personal to the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Manchester United FC.

Young Reds justified faith-Alex Ferguson

United's youngsters may have failed by a whisker to win the FA Cup semi-final but they still passed a severe test of their temperament with credit.

That was the positive message from Sir Alex Ferguson in the wake of a penalties defeat to Everton at Wembley, where he fielded four teenagers in Fabio and Rafael da Silva, Federico Macheda and Danny Welbeck. The average age of the starting XI was only 22.

"We had two teams in mind after Wednesday’s win in Portugal, with one leaving out two or three players but having watched the game yesterday (Chelsea's semi-final versus Arsenal), I thought the pitch looked heavy and dead," Sir Alex told MUTV.

"What I couldn’t afford was extra-time with my strongest team, with our programme coming up. We’ve got games on Wednesday, Saturday, Wednesday, Saturday lunch-time (at Middlesbrough) and then Tuesday. I had to make a change some time.

"Knowing the young players' temperament, their quality and their energy, I thought it was the right thing to do. Obviously I’m going to have some critics but I think the fans know this club is built on young players getting an opportunity.

"We wanted to give them an opportunity today. I know that in whatever games we’ve got in the run-in, we can play the likes of Macheda, Welbeck and Rafael without any question at all."

Welbeck was one of the players who came closest to breaking the deadlock, not least when he was brought down by Everton centre-half Phil Jagielka in the penalty

area. This 67th-minute incident brought controversy in the contest with referee Mike Riley ignoring United's appeals for a spot-kick. Seemingly livid at the time, Sir Alex seemed almost resigned to the Reds' fate afterwards.

"It looked a penalty kick to me. I’ve seen some videos of it and there’s no doubt that Jagielka’s caught him. He (Welbeck) was clean through on goal and the goalkeeper’s really stranded. But what can you say? It wasn’t given and there’s nothing we can do about it."

Riley's failure to award the penalty and the general absence of goalmouth action led the semi-final to extra-time and ultimately a rare shoot-out defeat for United after victories in the Champions League final, Carling Cup final and two Community Shield matches.

"It's hard to take," admitted Sir Alex, "but we’ve won a few in the last two or three years. We know the name of the game in these situations, it is a bit of a lottery, but it’s the only way you can decide it when it gets to that stage."

Defeat hurts Serbian star

Nemanja Vidic turned in a Man-of-the-Match display at Wembley and scored in the penalty shoot-out, but that is of little consolation to the Serbian as the Reds crashed out of the FA Cup.

“We're disappointed because this is a trophy we wanted to win,” he told MUTV. “We played some good football and created chances, but in the end it came to penalties – and that’s just a lottery. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose. In the Champions League final we won… but today we didn’t score our penalties. You have to congratulate Everton.”

Vidic dispatched his spot-kick with aplomb, even though it wasn’t enough to prevent a 4-2 shoot-out loss, but he says dealing with the pressure of converting from 12 yards is “nothing new”.

“I practise in training and I also took penalties for Red Star Belgrade and Spartak Moscow,” he said. “It’s nothing new, but there's always the possibility you'll miss, especially in games where there is pressure. I scored, but it’s not about me scoring. The team didn’t win. We need to forget this game now.

“We must take it and recover for the next game. It’s going to be hard, but we have Wednesday’s match against Portsmouth and we need to be focused. It helps that some players were rested. They are going to be fresh and I hope we have a good game at Old Trafford.”

Vidic was proud of the performances of four teenagers in United’s youth-inflected starting line-up. And he says it's the result, rather than the performance, which was frustrating. “We played well, so we don’t need to be disappointed about that,” he added. “We played offensively and tried to score. We had young players in our team, they showed some quality. We know they are capable of doing that. We just didn’t take our chances."

Fa Cup - Manchester United vs Everton

Match

Penalties


Its ok guys..Bright Future ahead anyway..

The Future Is Bright

Today we lost the FA Cup semi final at Wembley against Everton in heart breaking circumstances, but I think there were many positives to be taken from the game. The first being that if justice was done we would have won that match, as we were denied a clear penalty and goal scoring opportunity late in the second half - which frankly I think we would have been given had it not been for Moyes’ remarks in the week about his belief that the referee is a United fan.

Many would have questioned Sir Alex’s decision to start with a team mainly consisting of young players, but he clearly felt the big name players were too tired, and that this was a perfect opportunity for the youngsters to show their hunger and potential, and a truly believe they did just that.

In goal, Foster had a couple of nervy moments but he kept a clean sheet over 120 minutes and needed to be given the opportunity to show his worth. The Da Silva twins were fantastic in the fullback positions especially as they have both been out with injuries, they made good use of the ball and defended excellently. In midfield, Gibson battled well and did very little wrong, had a great shot too, while Anderson had one of his most productive games in a long time which has restored some of my confidence in him. On the right it has to be said Park was poor, his use of the ball was shocking and he did very little to impact the game. Contrast to the other flank where

Welbeck showed he has plenty of potential, using the ball well, finding the right passes and moving well to link up with Macheda. Should have had a penalty/goal too. Up front, Tevez had a bad game, made poor use of the ball as has become a regular thing of late, and never looked like scoring. Though he did find some very good positions to receive the ball. Macheda, who was the stand out player for me, led the line like a man far beyond his age. He played with the aggression and desire of a true center forward. He was winning headers, linking up with his team mates, particularly Welbeck, and I think if he’d had more time on the pitch he could have got a goal. He looked like just the kind of player we need to partner Rooney and showed huge potential.

This game has shown many positive things to me. One of which being that when/ if (I’m pretty sure he will) Tevez leaves this summer, we may not need to splash out on a new striker because Macheda really looked the part today, he was not fazed by the occasion and gave a very good defensive partnership some problems. Welbeck looks like able back up too.

While we did lose the game, we should have won it with the penalty that never was. And it is this kind of bold belief in the younger players we have that has allowed us to have such continued success under Alex Ferguson’s management. A lot of the youngsters took this opportunity with both hands and showed they are ready to make the step up whenever the boss wants them too.

When we take a delve into our reserves and academy team, we see that something special is on the horizon at Old Trafford. Talent is there that we haven’t seen in some time. Notably for me are 3 Englishmen making a name for themselves in the United ranks. Matt James, a young man currently plyijg his trade in the reserve team, surrounded by people well beyond his age but standing out among them, is a solid midfielder who can do the lot, pass, tackle, score and dominate, what more would you want? Ryan Tunnicliffe, is another midfielder younger than James currently in the academy team, he has a style reminicent of a young Steven Gerrard and is just a superb player; plays with 100% commitment every game and again can pass tackle and score. Possibly the real jewell, without placing too much expectation upon anybody, is a young winger name Ravel Morrison, with lightening pace, unbelievable dribbling ability, and deadly finishing, he really is one to watch out for. Then there is also the likes of David Petrucci, a young Italian who is like a playmaker in attacking midfield, with a cracking shot on him, best mates with Macheda and is showing potential. These players will have been inspired by their slightly elder counter-parts in today’s semi final and will be determined to make the break themselves.

It seems the conveyor-belt of talented young players is well and truly on the move once again, and is making for a promising future for Manchester United. Seems to me that a perfect blend of finding a few gems from around the world, without bringing in too many to starve the local lads, and putting countless effort into producing our own local-brand footballers is about to really pay off, and I think it has been carefully planned by Ferguson, is is already building the team of the future. He knows that his time will be up soon, and that tha catalyst for his success has been the golden generation of youngsters he had when he first arrived here as manager all those years ago. He wants his successor to have this luxury awaiting him in order to continue this success of Manchester United - and whoever that man is, will not be disappointed.

The future is bright, the future is red

Author: Richie,,

http://www.manutdtalk.com

United 0 Everton 0 (2-4 on pens)

Tim Howard emerged an FA Cup spot-kick hero to wreck his old club's quintuple bid and send Everton to their first final since 1995 following a 4-2 penalty shootout win.

After a goalless and frankly rather tepid two hours, Howard saved a woeful penalty from Manchester United record signing Dimitar Berbatov and another from Rio Ferdinand to send the Toffeemen into ecstasy.

It also ended Sir Alex Ferguson's 100% record in last four clashes, although the Scot must have known such a scenario was a realistic possibility given the team he picked.

It had become common knowledge that Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney and Edwin van der Sar had not even made the trip, while Ryan Giggs was down on most people's lists of the men to be excluded as well.

Nevertheless, when the teams were announced the actual make-up of United's team took the breath away.

Federico Macheda, supersub in his two substitute appearances against Aston Villa and Sunderland, was handed his first start, Fabio da Silva his second.

Darron Gibson and Danny Welbeck made their first appearances since the Carling Cup final victory over Tottenham in the same stadium seven weeks ago, while Rafael da Silva and Anderson were also included in what must have been one of the youngest starting line-ups Ferguson has ever selected.

The Everton supporters knew there could be no better chance to reach the final they crave so much.

United had one first half escape, when Ben Foster ill-advisedly tried to nip past Louis Saha inside his own penalty area, only to discover the former Red Devils striker was a bit cuter than he had bargained for.

Saha stuck out a foot and for a fleeting moment thought he had nicked the ball away from Foster, only to discover a kind bobble had allowed the England keeper to gobble it back up.

Everton also had a penalty claim waved away by referee Mike Riley, whose appointment as replacement for Steve Bennett did not meet with the approval of Moyes. However, it was difficult to argue conclusively Rafael had fouled Steven Pienaar.

Apart from that, their threat was negligible until Tim Cahill emerged from the torpor to strike a fierce low drive that Foster did well to keep out.

In sporadic bursts, United were at their free-flowing best. Yet Macheda, who started brightly, and Welbeck were both guilty of rushing passes or shots.

The nearest Ferguson's team came was when Joleon Lescott deflected a Welbeck shot wide, Rafael supplying the cross.

After the interval, United were the better team. Park Ji-sung sent one shot skimming wide before Gibson tried his luck from long range with a dipping shot Tim Howard saved without being able to hold.

If Riley is a United fan, as Moyes seemed to suggest in midweek, he had a funny way of showing it as far as Ferguson was concerned.

The failure to award a penalty when Phil Jagielka barged Welbeck over enraged the United boss, who vented his fury at every official within earshot.

In that split-second, any notion that Ferguson did not care about the FA Cup was shredded into tiny pieces and the United boss was off his seat again shortly afterwards when Anderson's piledriver flicked the roof of Howard's net.

The introduction of Dimitar Berbatov at the start of extra-time, following the earlier arrivals of Patrice Evra and Paul Scholes, gave United a more recognisable look, although it was again Cahill who nearly broke the deadlock, Foster making a fine feet-first save.

Everton then came agonisingly close when Vidic toed a shot from substitute James Vaughan away from Cahill, who was ready to slot home a tap-in.

In truth though, a goal never looked like coming.

And finally United saw their shoot-out luck run out, leaving Howard, Moyes and chairman Bill Kenwright to celebrate a day they have waited for so long to enjoy.

Chelsea await Sunday's winners

United will have a chance to avenge the 2007 FA Cup final defeat if the Reds can overcome Everton in Sunday afternoon's semi-final at Wembley.

Chelsea came from behind to beat Arsenal 2-1 in Saturday's semi. Didier Drogba, scorer of the extra-time winner against the Reds in the 2007 final, netted another decisive strike to see off the Gunners. A poor contest was all set for an additional half-hour prior to Drogba's 84th-minute finish, following Theo Walcott and Florent Malouda's first-half goals.

Defeat for Arsenal will put them under greater pressure to beat United in the semis of the Champions League, the only competition the Gunners can realistically win this season.

Saturday's league games were of little consequence to United, although next opponents Portsmouth warmed up for Wednesday's trip to Old Trafford with a vital win over Bolton.

Kanu claimed the goal which puts Pompey six points clear of the drop zone with six games left. Middlesbrough have one game fewer to save themselves after being held 0-0 at home to Fulham; Blackburn and Hull are only three points above them after both lost 1-0 away at relegation-battle rivals Stoke and Sunderland respectively.

Aston Villa caused further damage to their fading hopes of a top-four finish by only drawing 1-1 at home to West Ham. Emile Heskey gave the Villans an early lead but Diego Tristan levelled with five minutes to go, to leave Villa seven points adrift of Arsenal.

Finally, United fans can mark Molineux on a map of grounds to visit next season. Wolves are certain of a return to the Premier League after beating QPR 1-0 in the Championship, courtesy of ex-Reds striker Sylvan Ebanks-Blake's 25th goal of the season.

Everton Defender Baines: FA Cup Pressure Is On Manchester United

The Toffees' left-back thinks the burden of glory is much greater for the Red Devils than his team...

Everton can relax and enjoy Sunday's Wembley FA Cup semi-final, thinks England international Leighton Baines, as the pressure to win will be on opponents Manchester United rather than the men from Merseyside.

The Toffees are certainly perceived as the underdogs of the occasion, but that is not a label that upsets Baines, as he feels that it removes many of the extra burdens that come with playing for a team like United, many of whose fans expect certain victory every time Sir Alex Ferguson's troops trot onto the field.

"They play in semi-finals every year but this is new for some of us and it's probably a bit more of a big game for us than it is them," the left-back told evertonTV.

"We can go there and hopefully there's not so much pressure on us; people will expect Manchester United to get to the FA Cup final.

"People will be expecting us to get beaten but we won't be expecting that at all. We have been unlucky against them this season."

Baines himself does have some experience of a cup final against United. He was part of the Wigan Athletic outfit that lost in the League Cup showpiece to the Mancunians at Cardiff in 2006, and he thinks that the experince will stand him, and others with similar memories, in good stead on Sunday.

"It's going to play a small part, having been there before," he added.

"But these are individual games and anything can happen in them.

"We have players like Tim Cahill, and obviously Phil Neville has played in many a cup semi-final, so anyone with those experiences will help us a little bit.

"Tim's not scared of mentioning that he's played in cup final before!" Australian Cahill was in the Millwall side beaten 3-0 by United in the FA Cup final of 2004.

Zack Wilson, Goal.com