Delighted Fergie: We could have hit seven!

Manchester United 3, Manchester City 1 (agg, 4-3)

Sir Alex Ferguson claimed Manchester United would not have been flattered if they had scored “six or seven” in their Carling Cup semi–final thriller with Manchester City last night.

“We missed a lot of chances,” he said.

“Edwin van der Sar made one marvellous save (from a Micah Richards’ shot) after half–time but we produced a marvellous performance in the second–half.

“We could have scored six or seven.”

Wayne Rooney’s injury–time header was required to book a Wembley date with Aston Villa on February 28 after Carlos Tevez had taken the contest to the brink of extra–time with a superb finish.

Paul Scholes and Michael Carrick had earlier put United ahead on aggregate in a game in which Ferguson felt Rooney produced a performance better than the one that saw him score four against Hull on Saturday.

“I know he scored four goals but his control leading the line and his link-up play was fantastic. Overall it was a wonderful performance. World class.”

Now Ferguson must check on the fitness of his players ahead of the trip to Arsenal on Sunday.

And of more immediate interest to Ferguson will be the disciplinary hearing Rio Ferdinand must face tomorrow after denying a charge of violent conduct for swinging an arm into the face of Craig Fagan at the weekend.

Ferguson took a calculated risk playing Ferdinand in the knowledge that a three– match ban could be increased if the FA decide the appeal is “frivolous”.

Ferguson insists his £29.1million defender has a worthwhile case


Last night’s other results

Barclays Premier League: Aston Villa 0 Arsenal 0, Blackburn 2 Wigan 1, Chelsea 3 Birmingham 0, Everton 2 Sunderland 0

The Coca-Cola Championship: Newcastle 2 Crystal Palace 0, Scunthorpe 2 Sheff Wed 0.

Coca-Cola League Two: Burton Albion 1 Lincoln City 0.

Blue Square Premier: Histon 0 Luton 2.