Crawley expose flaws in United back-up players

MANCHESTER United boss Sir Alex Ferguson sent his Crawley counterpart Steve Evans back to Sussex with a bottle of vintage wine and some happy memories.

Even Ferguson conceded Crawley deserved a draw for their efforts after an excellent second–half display.

Tey came agonisingly close as Richard Brodie's stoppage–time header bounced off the bar.

"It looked like a big chance," said Evans. "Some of the boys said they thought it was in and I think a few of the United players felt the same way.”

Crawley were so nearly still clinging to the dream of becoming the first non–league team to reach the quarter–finals.

As it was, stand–in skipper Wes Brown sent United through with a first–half header, his first goal in two–and–a–half years and only his fifth in a United career that extends to over 350 games.

United dominated the opening period without creating any other decent opportunities, save for one Fabio effort just after Brown's goal.

But as the second half progressed, so their performance got steadily worse.

Bebe and Gabriel Obertan were among the poorest, offering Crawley an opportunity they came so close to grabbing.

"They deserved a draw given their second–half performance," admitted Ferguson. "There is no doubt a few (United) players did not do themselves justice.”

That United finished with half–time substitute Wayne Rooney and Javier Hernandez in wide positions, desperately trying to plug gaps Obertan and Bebe had been unable to, just about summed up their performance.

Rooney's temper frayed to the extent he was booked for a cynical hack at Kyle McFadzean.