Newcastle United 1-4 Manchester United
The FA Cup Semi-Final
The Millennium Stadium
17 April 2005



Sir Alex Ferguson says that he has set his sights on retaining The FA Cup this season.

The Manchester United boss will have to overcome the challenge from Arsenal at the Millennium Stadium on 21 May, but the Scot is optimistic of reclaiming the trophy after suffering a frustrating season.

United struggled in the league at the start of the season, but Ferguson predicts that this year will end in glory and is confident that he'll be lifting the prestigious Cup next month.

Ferguson said: "The name of the game is to win silverware. At this club you are subjected to the expectations of the whole world.

"We were disappointed at the start of the season but there is now a lot going on at our club that people do not see and the future is looking good."

United put in an impressive performance to comfortably beat Newcastle 4-1, with Ruud van Nistelrooy scoring two - his first goals since November, much to the pleasure of his manager.

Ferguson said: "We are absolutely delight for him. He is just like any other of the players where confidence is all important.

"We did have an advantage because Newcastle travelled to Lisbon on Thursday and we have had a whole week to plan and I think our preparations went well.

"I think that had the pitch not have chewed up towards the end, then we would have scored more goals.

"They were in a no-win situation and they had to go for it, but by going for it they were subject to counter attacks all the time.

His opposite number Graeme Souness was left counting the cost of a busy week and having several first-team players ruled out.

Souness said: "We would like to have come here fully prepared and with a fully fit squad. But that was not the case today and we knew that it was going to be a difficult afternoons for us.

"We did not get started in the first half but that is sometimes understandable when you have had a midweek game and it takes you about 45 minutes to get back into it.

"We had been bashed up mentally and physically coming into this game and it was always going to be tough."

Despite suffering defeat, Souness praised the work rate of his weary troops which helped make the game a great spectacle.

Souness said: "We have a squad of players and every one of them gave me 100 per cent and I could not ask anymore of them."