Fergie rubs salt into City wounds

Alex Ferguson has rubbed salt into the Manchester City's wounds in the wake of their League 3-1 Cup second leg (4-3 aggregate) loss.

Sir Alex Ferguson has rubbed salt into the Manchester City's wounds in the wake of their League Cup exit by claiming his Manchester United side could have scored ''six or seven'' in Wednesday night's semi-final second leg.

United needed a stoppage time strike from Wayne Rooney to clinch a 3-1 win that sent Ferguson's men to the final 4-3 on aggregate but the United boss felt the contest should have been settled long before then.

- We missed a lot of chances. Edwin van der Sar made one marvellous save (from a Micah Richards' shot) after half-time but we produced a marvellous performance in the second half. We could have scored six or seven - Ferguson said.

United will face Aston Villa in the final at the end of next month but Ferguson's attention now turns to Sunday's Premier League clash with Arsenal at The Emirates.

United will be without Rio Ferdinand for the clash with the England centreback starting a four-match ban for violent conduct relating to an incident in which he caught Hull forward Craig Fagan in the face with a swinging arm during United's 4-0 win over the Tigers at the weekend.

By denying the offence, Ferdinand ensured he was free to play against City but he paid the price when the standard three-match ban was increased to one game after the FA on Thursday deemed the appeal to have been ''frivolous''.

Prior to the disciplinary hearing, Ferguson had argued that Ferdinand had been as much sinned-against as sinner in the clash with Fagan.

- He was getting wrestled and punched. There were all sorts of things happening. He was just trying to get himself free of it and unfortunately caught the lad on the back of the neck - Ferguson said.

Ferguson meanwhile has hailed van der Sar's performance against City as evidence that the 39-year-old remains the best goalkeeper in the Premier League.

- I know there are a few young keepers out there doing very well but Edwin is the best in the league just now. It is not just his saves, it is his composure and use of the ball. It is good to have him back - the United manager said.