By Dan Warren
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has played down his decision to drop Ruud van Nistelrooy for the 4-0 Carling Cup win over Wigan on Sunday.
He said striker Louis Saha was picked for the final because of his form in the competition and denied that Van Nistelrooy had objected to the move.
"He seemed to be OK in the dressing room before the game and he was OK with the players," said Ferguson.
"He's disappointed but he had to be disappointed, that's the nature of it."
Saha scored the second goal in United's comfortable victory, taking his tally in this season's competition to six.
"Since he has been fit he has scored 10 in 13 games, there is a danger of overlooking it and not giving him his credit," added Ferguson.
Ferguson explained that he had been dropped for a major cup final in his playing career.
"It happened to me in the Scottish Cup final in 1965 and I was dropped at 10 past two." said the United boss, who was a Dunfermline player at the time.
Van Nistelrooy was the one of first United players to leave the pitch after the final and left the stadium without talking to the media.
Ferguson said that the game was won by his side's quick goals early in the second half.
"We went for the second goal, which would hopefully win the game, but they had a chance straight after that and Edwin van der Sar made a great save from Henri Camara," he stated.
"The two quick goals won the game for us.
"Credit goes to Wigan because they had a go, they attacked us and had good opportunities in the last third of the field.
"We defended very well and when it comes to goal threats we have plenty in the side."
Ferguson hailed the display of man-of-the-match Wayne Rooney but also singled out Ryan Giggs for praise.
"I thought Ryan was absolutely fantastic," he said.
"When it comes to running up and down the line, there is no one to match him. He was very mature and controlled."
(BBC)
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