Rampant Reds Too Hot For Hornets
Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo combined with devastating effect
to sink Watford 4-1 and book Manchester United a place in the FA
Cup final, keeping their quest for the three major trophies firmly
on course.
Rooney put United in front in the seventh minute, with Hameur
Bouazza scoring a surprise 26th-minute equaliser for the visitors
before Cristiano Ronaldo restored the Red Devils' lead just two
minutes later.
The England striker's second goal in the 66th minute, and a fourth
from substitute Kieran Richardson eight minutes from full-time,
sealed United's presence in the first final at the new Wembley
Stadium, and their dream of a repeat of 1999 - when Sir Alex
Ferguson's men won the Premiership, the FA Cup and the Champions
League - is still alive.
After the game Ferguson claimed his side's performance was as good
as their 7-1 thrashing of Roma in the Champions League last
Tuesday.
He said: "It was a fantastic performance; it was as good as Tuesday
in terms of the endurance of the team, the courage, accepting the
disappointment with Ferdinand being injured when we had to change
the team.
"It was absolutely magnificent, I was so proud."
On Rio Ferdinand, who had to be replaced by Darren Fletcher in the
first half, Ferguson added: "Hopefully it's not too serious. He'll
have a scan tomorrow. It's a groin injury. Hopefully he won't be
out for too long.
"We'll know tomorrow evening. He'll have a scan in the morning and
we'll get the results in the afternoon."
The attacking trio of Ronaldo, Rooney and Alan Smith were
particularly impressive.
Ferguson said of Ronaldo: "It was his 21st goal today and he could
go on to score 25, the form he is in.
"Wayne Rooney had his best game of the season today, he was
absolutely fantastic. And Alan Smith has brought a breath of fresh
life to the team. He is doing fantastically for us."
