Fergie : Leeds fought like a tiger

High flying Leeds United produced a huge upset as they traveled to Old Trafford and handed Manchester United a surprise defeat in this FA Cup clash. The League One side were not overawed by the occasion and Jermaine Beckford’s well taken goal was the least they deserved and Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United side can have no complaints about the final outcome of this third round clash.

Leeds United defender Leigh Bromby was unavailable through suspension, but Jermaine Beckford and Luciano Becchio started upfront for Simon Grayson’s side. Midfielder Richard Snodgrass returned to the squad but only on the substitute’s bench.

The game was being played quickly and the next chance fell to the home side. Fabio da Silva released Welbeck in the 9th minute, the young forward delivered a great cross into the Leeds six yard box but the unmarked Dimitar Berbatov didn’t gamble and try to get on the end of it.

Two minutes later Beckford had a long range effort easily saved by Kuszczak but in the 18th minute the visitors sensationally took the lead.

In the third minute of injury time Ankegren made a fantastic save to deny Rooney, and although Manchester United searched for the equaliser but they were unable to seriously test the Leeds goalkeeper again and Leeds recorded a memorable victory. For Manchester United this is the first time in 25 years they have gone out of the FA Cup in the third round.

Teams:

Manchester United: Tomasz Kuszczak; Gary Neville, Wes Brown, Jonathan Evans, Fabio Da Silva, Darron Gibson, Anderson (Michael Owen '69), Dimitar Berbatov, Wayne Rooney, Gabriel Obertan (Antonio Valencia '58), Danny Welbeck (Ryan Giggs' 58).

Leeds United: Casper Ankergren; Jason Crowe, Richard Naylor, Patrick Kisnorbo, Andy Hughes (Aidan White '90), Michael Doyle, Neil Kilkenny, Bradley Johnson, Jonathan Howson (Robert Snodgrass '78), Luciano Becchio (Lubomír Michalik '88), Jermaine Beckford.