Man Utd defender Ferdinand admits Berbatov penalty was lucky

10.01.11 | tribalfootball.com

Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand admits they were fortunate with Dimitar Berbatov's penalty in their FA Cup win over Liverpool.

Reds boss Kenny Dalglish described the decision from ref Howard Webb as "a joke".

Ferdinand took to Twitter after the final whistle to admit United had been fortunate to be awarded the penalty.

‘I've just watched the penalty incident again...I'm 50/50 wether [sic] it was or wasn't..ref gave it we scored it. Its a game of swings+roundabouts,’ the England captain posted.

Man Utd striker Owen: Liverpool NOT in false position

10.01.11 | tribalfootball.com

Manchester United strikerMichael Owen says he isn't surprised by Liverpool's fall.

And Owen says his old club is in no false position hovering four points from the dropzone.

"I am not particularly surprised," he told United Review. "I would say their position reflects where they are right now.

"They are in the middle of a transitional period and off the pitch they have had a change of ownership.

"They are also very reliant on a couple of star players and if they are out injured, they have tended to struggle."

Man Utd boss Ferguson: I never thought I would face Dalglish again

10.01.11 | tribalfootball.com

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson admits he was surprised to be facing Kenny Dalglish again yesterday.

Dalglish saw his first game back as Liverpool manager end in FA Cup defeat at Old Trafford.

"I didn't think I would see this day," admitted Ferguson.

"When you have been out of the game so long you don't expect it to resurface again.

"But obviously Liverpool see that as the way ahead and it is their club."

Giggs: Man Utd felt comfortable against Liverpool

10.01.11 | tribalfootball.com

Ryan Giggs says Manchester United were satisfied with their FA Cup win over Liverpool.

Giggs hit the only goal of the game from the spot, while he saw Steven Gerrard sent off for the visitors.

The midfielder left the ground as he launched himself into a tackle on Michael Carrick, with ref Howard Webb taking his time to calm some raised tempers before showing the red card.

Goalscorer Giggs would not be drawn on the incident, saying: "I couldn't see it myself but the players' reactions tend to tell you a lot and the players round the ball were not too happy and once the decision is made you have to get on with it.

"That early goal helped us, as did the sending-off, but we had chances to finish off the game and you are a bit nervous when you don't take them.

"Defensively we looked good and we could have scored more today."

Evans delighted with winning Man Utd comeback against Liverpool

10.01.11 | tribalfootball.com

Jonny Evans was delighted with his comeback game forManchester United's FA Cup win over Liverpool.

The defender suffered a loss of form earlier this season, but he has come back fighting.

"It's been difficult in terms of dealing with the mental side of it," he admitted to MUTV. "But I've always had confidence in my ability and great support from my family and the manager.

"I just had to step back and look at what things I needed to be doing - and that's just doing the basic things well, like defending and keeping clean sheets."

That's exactly what he did against Liverpool on Sunday alongside Rio Ferdinand, who Evans praised for his part in the shut-out of Fernando Torres and co.

"Rio's been fantastic," he added. "He's had a stop-start couple of seasons, but he's played a lot of games and he's back playing well. He's got great experience, so that was good to have alongside me."

Evans will be hoping to build on this excellent display, but he knows there's still hard work ahead.

"It's funny how things can change in football, and you can't become complacent. I just want to prepare and make sure I do well in my next game."

Liverpool boss Dalglish brands Man Utd winner a joke: Gerrard also was never a red

10.01.11 | tribalfootball.com

New Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish was furious withManchester United's first minute penalty in yesterday's FA Cup defeat.

Dimitar Berbatov won the spotkick after a clumsy challenge from Dan Agger.

"The penalty is a joke," said Dalglish. "I have seen the replay and unless they have changed the rules it is no penalty.

"The other one, I cannot see that as a red card either.

"In the dressing room before the game someone said to me the game's not changed that much.

"I said 'I thought it was a non-contact sport'. Maybe I was right."

United boss Sir Alex Fergusonoffered a differing view - and also insisted Steven Gerrard deserved his red card for a challenge on Michael Carrick.

"It was a penalty," he argued.

"Dimitar says he was definitely clipped. The replay shows he slightly touched him but the momentum is enough to bring the player down.

"There is no reason for him to go down anyway. He is not that kind of player.

"He is on the by-line, he is in the penalty box. I think it was right.

"As for the sending off, there was no doubt.

"It was two-footed and he was off the ground.

"Steven Gerrard is not that type of player but it was a reckless challenge. I don't think he left the referee with any option."

Man Utd defender Ferdinand admits Berbatov penalty was lucky

10.01.11 | tribalfootball.com

Manchester United defenderRio Ferdinand admits they were fortunate with Dimitar Berbatov's penalty in their FA Cup win over Liverpool.

Reds boss Kenny Dalglish described the decision from ref Howard Webb as "a joke".

Ferdinand took to Twitter after the final whistle to admit United had been fortunate to be awarded the penalty.

‘I've just watched the penalty incident again...I'm 50/50 wether [sic] it was or wasn't..ref gave it we scored it. Its a game of swings+roundabouts,’ the England captain posted.

Man Utd striker Owen: Liverpool changed from top to bottom

10.01.11 | tribalfootball.com

Manchester United strikerMichael Owen says Liverpool have completely changed from the days he was with the club.

Owen believes there isn't enough 'Liverpool-type' players now at Anfield.

He said: "Throughout all those successful years Liverpool built their foundation on passing and moving.

"But, from when I was there, everything has changed, barring two players. They even got rid of the doctors and the medical staff.

"Maybe there have not been enough Liverpool players over the last 10 years.

"If there was just one reason, then it would have been fixed. But there have been so many."

Man Utd, Chelsea pressure force Real Madrid to up Pepe contract offer

10.01.11 | tribalfootball.com

Real Madrid have stepped up new contract talks with defender Pepe in recent days.

Aware of growing interest from England, where Chelsea andManchester City have been joined byManchester United in tracking developments, Real officials have intensified negotiations with Pepe's agent, Jorge Mendes.

Sport says Real are closer to Pepe's new contract demands, with their latest offer being €3 million-a-year plus another €2 million-a-year in bonuses based on success and appearances.

Pepe has been demanding to be placed among the club's top earners at €6 million-a-year for almost 18 months.

Man Utd striker Owen: I was there for Carra, charity and still Liverpool fans booed

10.01.11 | tribalfootball.com

Manchester United strikerMichael Owen accepts he will now be jeered by his former Liverpool fans.

Owen was booed by the Anfield crowd for Jamie Carragher's testimonial earlier this season.

"It wasn't great, but I was there to pay my respects to Jamie and help raise money for charity," Owen recalled to manutd.com. "If I'd have wanted an easy life I'd have said: 'Thanks, but no thanks.' The reception was pretty mixed – although the longer I played the less boos I got!

"Most people are fine with me but get them in a crowd and that changes. If I meet fans individually a lot say nice things, but parade me in front of the Kop and it's a different story. I don't think you can get a true reflection of people's feelings towards you from going to a football game.

"Anyway, I think people get a bit carried away with who played for who. Yes, football's a passionate game, but from a player's point of view, you have to grow out of those tribal rivalries. Not every player can play for the team they support when they're growing up. I was an Everton fan."