Leeds' shock Cup win underlines Grayson's ambition

Hats off to Leeds, they were brilliant on the day and probably should have added a second late on. As a neautral watching the game, it was a fantastic old school style cup tie.

I think Spurs will beat them comfortably in round 4 though.

Fantastic performace by Leeds. But one question for you Chris, were you at the game? I was and Leeds did not play a 5 man midfield. It was a 4-4-2 formation with Beckford and Becchio up front.

I am happy to admit that I had massive doubts about Grayson when he came(and I expressed them here www.clarkeonenil.co.uk), feeling his sides would be too cautious and long ball. As it happens he has a team that can mix it up a bit and defend well (if sometimes going a little too down to the oppositions level away). I have also become impressed by his no nonsence approach to players. Their is one test left however, he needs to show that Leeds United have 17-20 decent players and not just the one who scored yesterday. If Beckford goes and we go up without him that will IMHO be as big a sign of Grayson's potential as yesterdays massive victory (although large parts of the support won't see it that way).

We are definately on the up, finances are relatively settled and will improve with a higher division, the support has never been questioned and we have a team that is capable of playing.

This team, without any additions, would probably sit mid-table to play offs in the championship and with 4-5 team/squad additions could push for promotion next season.

However, I would like to sell Beckford. Granted, amazing finisher and would probably get 12-18 in the Championship but I think we would benefit with a more rounded finisher to complement the hard working Becchio. Michael Chopra would be nice but I fear I'm being optimistic.

Congratulations to Leeds - after a 3rd round weekend seemingly marred by poor attendences, it was wonderful to see what is effectively a 3rd division side put to the sword the club which began the slide of the competition by cynically ditching it for a money-spinning jolly in 2000.

https://img188.yfrog.com/img188/7558/gocomp.jpg

Utd fan here, but well done to Leeds. They fully deserved the win and probably should have scored more.

It's a shock result yes, however not as big of a shock as people are making it out to be. There are 2 divisions between the teams but only on paper. Football as we know is not played on paper. If not for Leeds' points deduction a couple of years ago, I believe they would be a Premier League team now, or at least fighting for promotion in the Championship. Utd are not the team they were last season and have flattered to deceive on numerous occasions this season.

Leeds on the other hand are flying in League One, and if they can keep their top players, I wouldn't be surprised if they were promoted this season with ease, and in the Championship promotion fight next season. Similar to what Leicester are doing now.

Perhaps the best part of Leeds' win is the break it gives users of these forums from the arrogance and cluelessness of the average Man Utd fan who, after turning up in droves to kick Liverpool after drawing away to Reading, are very noticeable by their absence now.

Marvellous.

Congratulations Leeds, Man Utd can have no excuses. I didn't get to see the game, but when I saw the team sheet I was shocked that Man Utd Lost. Still I suppose it's the kick in rear a lot of players needed. Nice to see beyond the pale is up before anyone else :-)

As an Arsenal fan I fully understand Mick McCarthy's tactic - it didn't scream defeat it was an interesting and, in hindsight, a fully justifiable decision to focus on a more likely three points the following weekend. Maybe Wolves could have gone to OT, fought hard and still lost whilst losing players to injury and then losing at the weekend.

reddev99 I wouldn't even try making excuses, even Fergie is disgusted with the performance. I think Leeds might give spurs a run for the money and if Spurs win handsomely it will just highlight how dreadful Man United must have been... I am not gutted, but not best pleased. I still think we can we win the league and champions league but we need to get rid of the bad performances. Personally I think Man United over all are playing better this year as a team than last year.

"Nice to see beyond the pale is up before anyone else :-)"

Believe me, if I didn't have to wake up in order to phone work and let them know I wouldn't be in due to my fifth day stuck in bed with flu (great Xmas hols!) I'd still be in the Land of Nod (not the village in Humberside!)

BeyondThePale

So, 3 out of the first 11 comments are yours.

Speaks volumes that the highlight of your season thus far is a match your team has nothing to do with.

Tragic.

Leeds! Well done! That is the way to keep the integrity of matches, so Mr. McCarthy take note from Leeds!

"Speaks volumes that the highlight of your season thus far is a match your team has nothing to do with."

Actually, the highlight of our season so far has been trouncing your lot 2-0.

As a Man Utd fan, you probably didn't realise.

"Speaks volumes that the highlight of your season thus far is a match your team has nothing to do with."

Actually, the highlight of our season so far has been trouncing your lot 2-0.

As a Man Utd fan, you probably didn't realise.

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typical liverpool fan focuses on the one- off match

united have been smashing you home and away for years mate

look at the bigger picture rather than your freakish one off flukey results.

Well done leeds, they deserved the win. Getting back on point (not Lpool and Utd fans slagging each other off), Leeds will obviously be in the championship next season, I think it will do them a bit of good to spend a couple of seasons there before getting back to the premier league.

BeyondThePale

That has to be the first time I've seen 2-0 referred to as a trouncing. But anyway, I'm glad you enjoyed it. Not sure those big nights on Channel 5 will be offer as much excitement.

"look at the bigger picture rather than your freakish one off flukey results."

One-off?

Looks like three off the bounce to me - I could be mistaken.

:)

well done and deserved to Leeds but why has no one come to admit that ManU are noticably weaker this year? None of the so-called expert pundits have the nerve to admit it publicly.

Replacing Ronaldo and Tevez with Valencia and Owen is trying to regain titles on the cheap; Giggs, Scholes and Neville another year past their best; Rafael et al the next generation not quite there yet, at least a year or two away.

It seems only if Rooney plays often and continually well will ManU win anything of note. Not a predicament a club of that size should be in?

Again though, Well done Leeds. Their fortunes are truly on the up.

"The referee gave five minutes. That is an insult to the game and the players out there."

Quote of the decade already?

I think the reasons behind Man Utd's troubles this season are similar to Liverpool's-lots of injuries and lack of balance. Having watched the west ham Arsenal game yesterday and also a lot of recent Hull matches I wonder why SAF hasn't gone/will he go for players like Diamanti and Stephen Hunt. Hunt would certainly sort out the left side evening up with Valencia and replacing the dreadful Nani, and Diamanti, at I believe 25, certainly has the potential to pass like Paul Scholes. I also think that it might be time to give MO an extended run in the team as his space creating for Rooney is much better than I think we all have to agree the flop that is Berbatov. The fans aren't getting on his case too much yet this season but with Tevez finally coming good at City on the goal front it must be a bit hard to take still thinking they sold the wrong player on. A couple of utd performances recently have really flattered them, the victory over a weakened Wolves team was expected and the victory over Hull, which I watched in the pub with utd supporters was down to a lack of clinical finishing by Hull. In fact if Hull had taken their chances the game would have been very different. Utd are missing Ronaldo and some of the underperforming/old players in their squad need to be cleared out so that SAF can bring some new blood in. Whether he has the energy to do this or wants to hand over the reigns at the end of the season we will have to wait and see. Utd currently feel very much like the Liverpool team that Graeme Souness took over in the 90's with some remodelling required.....(just don't get Graeme Souness in to do it although if you did I am sure the fans of the rest of the teams in the EPL would be delighted)

Indeed SaoPaulista I agree entirely.

The year Sunderland were relegated with a record low of 15pts they got a 0-0 draw at Old Trafford against a much stronger ManU team than the present one.

Every game is winnable, however unlikely.

Utd have been poor all season and will go out of the champions league next game. After being beaten on wednesday by citeh of course. I can't see them winning a thing this season.

Once again when it matter berbatov fails to deliver. He only seems to perform when the team is doing well but when it really counts goes missing. I still dont see the need why fergie signed him when tevez,ronnie & wazza had just won us the double. And tevez might of still of been here if Berba didnt arrive!!!!

rio786,

Berbatov was obviously bought as a willy-waver; unfortunately for Utd, it's paid off about as well as an Icelandic savings account.

Will no-one rid me of this turbulent knight?

lol

I was watching the match and Leeds were brilliant. Uniteds finish was wasteful especially the chance that fell to Rooney (he should have rolled it in) and Michael Owen. But nonetheless congratulations Leeds and good luck against Spurs. Fizzy pop for you next year!

excellent article/summary by Chris Bevan

#20- Makes one wonder that if baconface can spout garbage like that this early into the decade, what does he have in store for us for the future?

brilliant performance by the boys, alot of my man utd friends took the defeat the right way, shame their manager wasn as humble in defeat. refusing to do an interview with itv after the game shows hoe immature a man he is when he doesn get his own way, 5mins stoppage was ridiculous and he threw his toy out of the pram because they didn give more time.

well done simon, you have proved yet again how great a young manager you are and i am looking forward to the day you take us back to the prem.

brilliant performance by the boys, alot of my man utd friends took the defeat the right way, shame their manager wasn as humble in defeat. refusing to do an interview with itv after the game shows hoe immature a man he is when he doesn get his own way, 5mins stoppage was ridiculous and he threw his toy out of the pram because they didn give more time.

well done simon, you have proved yet again how great a young manager you are and i am looking forward to the day you take us back to the prem.

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mate he did give itv an interview

#10 Personally I think Man United over all are playing better this year as a team than last year.

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Do you? I mean really? Don't agree with that one little bit.

I have to agree that Leeds deserved the win, Man.Utd were just not at the game.
What annoys me is when Sir Alex says that certain team members will nbot be playing on Wednesday against City.......so what.......they will still be paid thie mega salaries.
Also, where has Man Uts's money gone? (We were one of the best place teams financially until the Glaziers arrived on the scene).,
Sir Alex says he won't pay over-inflated prices.......Man Utd were prepared to accept that over inflated price for Ronaldo and that has set the scene for big transfer money.
You can't let 2 big players like Ronaldo and Tevez go and not properly replace them.
Also, does anyone know what is happening with Vidic... he never seemed to get injured, but now is injured a lot of the time(or is there sometyhing going on behind the scenes?)
I am a Man Utd fan, but hate to see what is happening there.

Never mind, ManU. There's always the Carling Cup to aim for.

"Also, where has Man Uts's money gone?"

Mate, same place Liverpool's has - into the banks' coffers, while Americans ruin our clubs.

Larry showed he was a manager with potential at Blackpool, since he's gone to Leeds he's shown he can take that potential as far as he wants. I have always had a slight dislike of Leeds, ie the dirty teams of the 70's, 80's etc, but yesterdays game caused them to go up in my estimations. They look hungry for success again, but play attractive football and in Bechio and Beckford they have players capable of performing at a higher level. I was slightly disappointed it wasn't a wider margin scoreline, as the played Utd off the park.

Also, does anyone know what is happening with Vidic... he never seemed to get injured, but now is injured a lot of the time(or is there sometyhing going on behind the scenes?)
________________________________________________________________________
Watching Wes Brown yesterday, I sincerely hope not!

I've recently come to the conclusion that there must be huge oil deposits underneath Anfield and Old Trafford.

Great start to the year! The team and the manager deserve all the plaudits they are receiving. While Beckford and Ankergren have been singled out for praise I think a special mention should go to Jason Crowe for a goal line clearance that was positively Reaneyesque!

I don't share the views of those who have been critical of Fergie: I thought he was quite generous about Leeds both before and after the game, saying the best team won and refusing to comment on the possible penalties. Where he was out of order was criticising the ref for playing only five minutes added time. As far as I can recall the only stoppage in the second half was for Becchio's injury near the end, I have no idea where the ref got five minutes from!

Finally I don't think Wes Brown is an international defender. Glen Johnson has defensive frailties too but offers far more up front. I'd rather have Red Nev as England's right full back than WB right now!

"I have no idea where the ref got five minutes from!"

I think you do.

Everyone else does, considering the venue.

5 minutes an insult? I thought it was a bit generous, to be honest...

As a football fan, I have to convey the ultimate respect for Alex Ferguson and his achievements. As a referee, I have nothing but contempt for the way he regularly uses such trivial items to attack referees.

Still, i'm taking nothing away from Leeds, and wish them all the best against the Spuds!

How sad that the only joy a Liverpool fan can get this season is by gloating at a United loss. And I hate United.

How sad that the only joy a Liverpool fan can get this season is by gloating at a United loss. And I hate United.

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lol i agree

theres one poster who seems to be posting every 10 seconds

maybe he should take a look at his own mid table small club team lol lol

"lol i agree"

Baaaaaa.

People are quick to condemn Ferguson for criticizing refs, yet no one has paused to consider what the laws actually state and the fact that the man (shock horror!) has a point.

Are we all to agree that no one should have the bottle to point out what the laws actually say? We are just to accept?

Note that he has not said his team were better than Leeds or deserved anything from the game. But that does not mean the rules should not be followed because it is Man. United and their manager is too loud.

While Ferguson is an easy target because he talks too much, it might be wise to listen to the points he is making because this wheel has a way of coming round and what goes around definitely comes around.

It might be your turn tomorrow and then it might be too late to whine

did anyone see liverpools flukey goal scored by gerrard

reading should have won that game if it wasnt for liverpools 10 holding midfielders lol lol

Good article, Chris, and definitely more about Leeds long-term future under Simon Grayson than one great result in a promising season (I also blogged about the game yesterday: https://soccerspecial.blogspot.com/ )

I think the Beckford transfer could go either way for us as I did Delph's transfer to Villa in the summer. I was gutted at the time but seeing Doyle, Howson and Kilkenny in action several times this season I think they could be our bedrock for success as were Bowyer, Dacourt, Kewell and Batty, Speed, McAllister

As a Man Utd fan the first thing to say is: well done Leeds! Terrific performance and hugely deserved!

But most of the comments on Utd (including from Ferguson) are off the mark. Every poor United performance this season begins and ends in the same place.....midfield.

Does Ferguson honestly believe that a middle 4 that includes Welbeck (whose a striker and a raw one at that), Obertan and Gibson will ever get the job done? All year long he's been rotating the midfield, way over-exposing youngsters who are not yet ready or over-using Scholes and Giggs who are on the way out.

Fletcher, Carrick, Anderson and Valentia every time for me and Utd will be a different team. Fletcher and Anderson have started 3 games this season together in midfield: Spurs (A), City (H) and Chelsea (A) and they were among our best displays of the season.

Fergie has the players available but seems to have no idea how to use them. I don't know who invented 'rotation' but I wish someone would stick it where the sun don't shine!

I'm a blackpool season ticket holder and was pleased to see leeds dump man utd out of the cup. on a weekend when lots are saying the cup has lost its appeal, ask any leeds fan this morning for their views.

simon grayson did an amazing job to get blackpool out of the lower leagues and without doubt started the transformation of our great club, which has been continued by ian holloway this season.

simon grayson should be the leeds manager for many years to come and i for one am looking forward to the revival of the blackpool v leeds matches next season when simon grayson should get a standing ovation for the job he did with us.....we will beat leeds home and away though..!!

@46

You wrote a lot, but you didn't exactly say what Ferguson's "point" was...explain?

47. At 11:41am on 04 Jan 2010, ANCELOTTERI wrote:
did anyone see liverpools flukey goal scored by gerrard

reading should have won that game if it wasnt for liverpools 10 holding midfielders lol lol

=================================================
I thought this thread was about the game yesterday, saying that this muppet is always talking about Liverpool, Obsessed comes to mind.

Cracking cup tie yesterday, Leeds deserved it on the day.
I thought Brown, Wellback, Neville, Berbotov, Gibson, Anderson, Obertan were awful. Rooney is a good player, but with that rubbish around him its no surprise he gets frustrated. Saying that he had a couple of chances and didn't hit the target.
I though 5 mins was about right (4-5), don't see what the manager was moaning about.
I do expect Man u to dramitically improve after that performance and give city a good game this week.

Obertan = Future Stewie Griffin

Crowe Naylor Kisnorbo Hughes
Howson Doyle Kilkenny Johnson
Becchio Beckford

Would you be so kind to point out the 5 midfielder in this lineup.

United were poor and Leeds hungry - we have often seen this in the FA cup. The major worry I have for Manchester United, though, is Wes Brown. He has gone missing and made dreadful errors in several big games this season, including that friendly against Brazil. His time must be up at United and I'm sure he'll go in the summer.

For me Brown had his best season two years ago when he played at right back. He is just too error and injury prone these days though.

9. At 09:19am on 04 Jan 2010, rastafairy5 wrote:

Maybe Wolves could have gone to OT, fought hard and still lost whilst losing players to injury and then losing at the weekend.
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Why not rest all first team players for a full season just to keep the players fit and injury free? What you are suggesting is a very loser approach. Just think for a moment what will the PL be like if all bottom 10 teams start thinking this way. Sports is as much about sportsmanship as it is about winning. The act of Micky was very unsportsmanlike and was unfair to other top teams.

46. At 11:39am on 04 Jan 2010, Dapsy wrote:

While Ferguson is an easy target because he talks too much, ...
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Fergie is an easy target not because he talks too much, it is because he talks too much rubbish!!!

I thought this thread was about the game yesterday, saying that this muppet is always talking about Liverpool, Obsessed comes to mind.

===============================================================


those numbers in ur username arent going to be changing anytime soon are they lol lol

in rafa we trust

I am a Leeds supporter from Greece.I had the opportunity to watch the match with 2 friends.It was amazing.We used to watch the Leeds matches a few tears ago and it was something like a reunion for us...We are still celebrating...

"Sports is as much about sportsmanship as it is about winning. The act of Micky was very unsportsmanlike and was unfair to other top teams."

In a way you're correct, but the balance of the PL is so desperately uneven, and the cost of losing PL status so great, that it's no wonder MM did what he did - and to be fair to him, it worked for him.

The trouble for managers like MM is that they're damned if they do and damned if they don't.

same old liverpool fans

clinging onto the past

as i said before, liverpool fans should have 5 times and 18 times stamped on thier foreheads... save them some time in repeating it to every man and his dog lololol

32. At 10:46am on 04 Jan 2010, ANCELOTTERI wrote:
brilliant performance by the boys, alot of my man utd friends took the defeat the right way, shame their manager wasn as humble in defeat. refusing to do an interview with itv after the game shows hoe immature a man he is when he doesn get his own way, 5mins stoppage was ridiculous and he threw his toy out of the pram because they didn give more time.

well done simon, you have proved yet again how great a young manager you are and i am looking forward to the day you take us back to the prem.

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mate he did give itv an interview

===============================================

i watched the coverage right to the end of the game, then turned over when athletes did the funniest thing. he sent his assistant mike phelan to do an interview and then did an interview on mutv, but i dont recall him showing his face on the itv cameras?

I doubt that Ferguson was using his full abilities to win that game. He knows the league and CL will be very difficult this year.

===============================================

i watched the coverage right to the end of the game, then turned over when athletes did the funniest thing. he sent his assistant mike phelan to do an interview and then did an interview on mutv, but i dont recall him showing his face on the itv cameras?

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belive me he did do a itv interview... either that or we've found fergies long lost twin brother

61.

Same old Chelsea fans.

14 years old and waving little placcy flags.

in rafa we trust

heres to another 5 more succesful years for the spanish manager

lol lol

Winter time,
And the living is easy,
fish are jumping....

33. At 11:05am on 04 Jan 2010, Andrew wrote:
#10 Personally I think Man United over all are playing better this year as a team than last year.

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Do you? I mean really? Don't agree with that one little bit.

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United won 10 games 1:0 last season up to New year, and only 1 this season. True they have lost 2 more games in the same period of time, but I will reiterate " AS A TEAM" Now that ronaldo is gone players seem to more able to express themselves, Rooney in Particular.
Given the problems in Defence ( and it may be a smoke screen) United were only 1 point worse off before their last game than at the same point last season.
AT the same point last season United has scored 32 and conceed 10,this season its 45 for and 18 against. ...better difference than last season.
So it's only statistics, but much of last season people were being critical that they were playing rubbish and grinding out 1:0 wins, I haven't heard that this season. When they play they USUALLY play well.
I am sure someone can come up with another set of stats to contradict this, but as far as I can see, they are playing better football, better as a team, just the defensive injuries, which could account for the two losses against Villa and Fulham, and Sundays debacle are the only difference

I have just returned from Barbados where I watched the Man Utd v Leeds game in a bar on the beach at a very early time of the morning. The bar was packed with Leeds fans some of whom had put £100 @ 15 - 1 on Leeds winning. Needless to say they drank their winnings before actually collecting the money from the bookies. Good on them. As a Liverpool fan, I have never cared who beats Utd as long as somebody does so well done to Simon Grayson and his team. Thoroughly deserved. Having arrived back in London this morning, It's worth noting Barbados' temperature is higher in centigrade than it is here in fahrenheit.
Happy days.

Congrats Leeds - the hungrier team on the day won, and Grayson's tactics were spot on.
I was a little disappointed with the Ref, but not the injury time given - for me it was about right, and he even added the sub in injury time too.
I was disappointed in the fact that Welbeck didnt get a stone wall penalty, and felt it was a foul on him in the lead up to Leeds' goal. He also bottled giving a Leeds player a red card fro bringing down Owen when he was clean through. Not saying we deserved to win, but with correct decisions, we probably would have. As its United though, I guess I'll get the "you always get biased ref's" nonsense.
On the plus side, it was nice to see 65000 make the journey from Surrey, when the other so called more loyal fans of other clubs couldnt be bothered??!! :)

You have to compare apples with apples.

Mick had just seen his first team beaten by a second string United side at the Molineaux. What was the point of doing so against a full strength United side at OT?

They had just played a taxing match against spurs and they had another HIGHLY WINNABLE one against Burnley in 3 days (which they won by the way!)

That is 3 games in 10 days. Mick took 6 points out of a possible 9.

He could have gone to OT and still lost and then not have enough in the tank to beat Burnley. Now how smart would that have been?

That is what managers do. They manage.

Leeds game was a cup game ( a one in a lifetime opportunity if you like considering where Leeds are at the moment)

Leeds did not play Tottenham 3 days ago and they do not have to fight for survival in League 1

BTP: This is MM way of looking at things and he 'might' prove right in his decision to field a second string team. However, it doesn't mean that he should be applauded for this. Quote: "Sportsmanship is knowing that it is a game, that we are only as a good as our opponents, and whether you win or lose, to always give 100 percent."

"On the plus side, it was nice to see 65000 make the journey from Surrey, when the other so called more loyal fans of other clubs couldnt be bothered??!! :)"

At least we know where all the road gtit has gone - helping Utd fans get up the M6.

grit, sorry.

beneficiary,

I agree he shouldn't be applauded, but neither should he be derided for doing his job in the best interests of his club.

The fact of the matter is that he managed his club's resources and it paid off.

To slate MM for doing exactly what managers of much bigger clubs do almost every single domestic cup tie save for the semi/final is a little hypocritical, IMHO.

As Andrew wrote, Spurs probably will beat Leeds in the next round. There was an added incentive for Leeds to beat Man Utd; the fierce rivalry between the two clubs, the bragging rights, the Yorkshire and Lancashire rivalry; the war of the roses. Also, Man Utd are the champions of England, Spurs are just another Premier League club like Villa, Everton etc.

great result for leeds but not much good for the fa cup if man utd get knocked out, biggest crowd of the round and of course there wont bigger now until the final, global audience if obviously going to dwindle as well, i wish they would scrap the league cup, that's the real waste of time, the fa cup is still love... now bring on ANC

The rules for injury time are 30seconds for a sub, 30 seconds for a Yellow and 1minute for a red plus any significant injuries, as far as I was aware.

In the second half there were 5 subs alhtough 2 at once for utd (before the injury time was announced) and 2 yellow cards making 3 minutes plus Becchio was down for about 30-50seconds. So lets say 4minutes is about correct, 5 minutes is over the top, 6 were actually played and Fergie still argues.

I would love to see a Fergie episode of argumental (pre-recorded for BBC censorship of swearing though)

I think Nevs_A_Red's commments at 70 are a bit wide of the mark. The player most fortunate to stay on the pitch yesterday was Wes Brown (though the way he was playing it might have been better for you if he was sent off!) Welbeck's was not a "stone wall penalty". My first reaction was that it might be, but the commentator quickly concluded that he was going over already. I don't even remember the Owen incident.

BTP

I respect your HO, but comparing what MM did to what bigger clubs do is more like comparing apples with oranges. Big clubs dont play to lose a match, they play a second string side who, in their opinion, would still be good enough to win. This may not be eventually happen in all cases, but the intent definitely is not to lose a match.

beneficiary,

I'm sure MM would have loved to have won the game with the side he put out, but until there is anything approaching parity in the PL then this will just happen more and more.

Is it good for the game? Course it's not.

Is it any worse than mega-corporate clubs loading themselves with eye-watering debt, buying up all the best players and then disappearing over the horizon while the rest of the game is left to rot?

No.

A dreadful performance by United, and a sterling effort from Leeds. Leeds got the breaks, and United could have played another 30 minutes and still not scored. Just one of those days on the back of a poor game. I'm always critical of Ferguson when he selects to play such a lightweight midfiled for lower league teams. The opposition will always try to be more physical, and Gibson, Anderson and Obertan couldn't compete. Anyhoo, game's gone and that's that. On the extra time, it is not restricted to subs and cards. Injuries (whether real or fake), should also count. And of course the time it takes a goalkeeper to release the ball or take a goal kick etc etc. 5 minutes was not correct, but as I said, it wouldn't have mattered.

I think its funny how an article named "Leeds' shock Cup win underlines Grayson's ambitions" has turned into an argument between Liverpool, Chelsea and Man utd fans. Have you nothing better to do BeyondThePale? and ANCELOTTERI?

Leeds were amazing yesterday, and as a huge fan I was very proud to watch them go to Old Trafford and win. Howson, Kilkenny, Doyle and Becchio were outstanding. Even Casper managed to put in a good performance!

MOT

Alex Ferguson doesnt talk to MOTD after games as a result of a BBC panorama show on football agents and their dodgy deals that implicated his son. I guess that he may not talk to ITV for the same reason. In fairness to Fergie he never shys away from a hand shake or interview based on whether or not his team won or not.
As a leeds fan i found it very refreshing that the Man U staff were gracious in defeat and complementary to the Leeds' performance.

"Have you nothing better to do BeyondThePale?"

I'm in bed ill, so no.

Congratulations to LUFC and all they´re fans on a well earned and deserved victory.

There´s not many teams that go to OT and play to win, and succeed, so hats off to Mr Grayson too.

To clear up the confusion about there being 5 in Leeds midfield -as said in the article- those more observant would of noticed Becchio constantly dropping back into a more attacking midfield role.

Becchio is a highly under-rated player, on saturday he used very good positioning to draw players out to zonal mark him effectively allowing Beckford more space so he could to use his blistering pace. Also Leeds defended quite deep at times so Becchio got drawn a little deeper with his closing down, hence it appearing as though Leeds had 5 in midfield.

Beckford is a sublime finisher, I remember his long range lob in the 5-2 win over Chester City in the league cup this season, it was pure class. I really hope he signs a new contract with Leeds, loyalty is a dying trait in football, however loyalty can lead to more lasting success. Beckford is very fortunate in having an unselfish strike partner like Becchio, so if the Beckford stays his partnership with Becchio will see Leeds finish in the top three of Championship next season without a doubt. Then maybe if he improves his control and work rate whilst maintaining his pace and finishing he will be in an England shirt in 2 to 3 years old time with Leeds in the Premiership top ten.

Well done Leeds, shut up Man U

so if the Beckford stays his partnership with Becchio will see Leeds finish in the top three of Championship next season without a doubt. Then maybe if he improves his control and work rate whilst maintaining his pace and finishing he will be in an England shirt in 2 to 3 years old time with Leeds in the Premiership top ten.

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wayheyyy funny comment of the day

But in fairness, I respect Simon Grayson as a manager, he has come to a decent Leeds United side and really shown they can be a Premiership club again. They matched Man United in all departments and in my opinion, deserved to win overall. Leeds now travel to Spurs which again is a tough tie but are capable of another shock. Well done Leeds.

79. At 12:56pm on 04 Jan 2010, Reaneyofftheline wrote:
I think Nevs_A_Red's commments at 70 are a bit wide of the mark. The player most fortunate to stay on the pitch yesterday was Wes Brown (though the way he was playing it might have been better for you if he was sent off!) Welbeck's was not a "stone wall penalty". My first reaction was that it might be, but the commentator quickly concluded that he was going over already. I don't even remember the Owen incident.
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Brown had a bookable challenge which he got a yellow for. the other 2 incidents, he just went in strong and there was some pathetic moaning from Leeds who themselves were going in strong all day. Although your right we probably would have been better off without Brown. Also after the one where brown "went over the top", Howson came flying in from behind, and didnt even get e yellow???
Welbeck was running and was slightly off balance, but he wasnt going over. Becchio ran into him plain and simple and knocked him flying. Anywhere else on the pitch it would have been a yellow card, let alone a foul coz it was cynical.
Owen was clean through and just outside the area when tripped, but the ref would have had to give a red card if he gave the foul coz Owen was away, so in my opinion he bottled it.
To be honest it shouldnt dtract from Leeds' performance, but as usual no-one notices decisions that go against United - You can bet all your money if they had gone the other way there would ahve been uproar!
Its pretty typical of the reffing in this country, since the City injury time rubbish, United havent got a decent performance from a ref, and have had soem shocking decisions against us!

calm down son

It was one of those games where ManU had the chances but spurned all of them and so the underdog wins buy a goal, even after having soaked up bags of pressure.

So whats different?

This kind of upset has been happening for years.

I saw the 2nd half and Utd should have murdered Leeds but they didnt score after all those chances.

Move on, it happens.

ManU prob have the advantage now of concentrating on the more important prizes..

great result,into the next round..spurs.but the most important item is to get automatic promotion.this is where i find fault with ken bates.with beckford on the move and any talent that has come through leeds sold..how do we hope to build a team to return to the premiership..i have not forgotten thorp arch...what about elland road...the league knows now we are or have good owners...now is the time to buy back...not the mid-night hour.its a long road yet...and if beckford is sold..will the fans know the true transfer fee...and what will come in.

Defeating the Salford Yanks in their own back yard is so sweet, and reading their excuses is even better. At least Kettering took us to a replay!

Fantastic result for Leeds and Grayson. I always liked Simon Grayson and he was a good solid performer in his playing days with Aston Villa from what I can remember.

This result saved what seemed destined to be one of the blandest FA Cup third rounds in living memory.

https://inofftheghost.wordpress.com/

Grayson made McCarthy look like a fool.
It just shows that any 11 can be beaten if you put your mind to it and work as a team.

o.k utd. did,nt play well,no team does every game,but team selection is the managers job,and the side S.A.F put out was an insult to Leeds.Also
his substitutions were pathetic,what lightweights Owen and Giggs.We are
supposed to be strong in depth,where is it.Can I be one of the first to suggest that the manager might be loseing it.

Andie 99UK - No it doesnt. Mick's was a league game, this was an FA cup game. Entirely different types of game. Leeds was a one off result - it doesnt prove anything.

Dave Johnson - No, i dont think Fergie is losing it. When Man Utd won just the FA cup between 03 and 07 i bet there were people saying he'd lost it then - until he came back to win 3 b2b titles and a Champs league.

United have struggled repeatedly at home this season and are lucky not to have lost more games in the PL and CL. A fired up and on form Leeds were always going to present us with a tough game.

Notwithstanding the injury problems at the back, there is no guarantee that playing out best 11 would have changed the result but SAF was asking for trouble playing the midfield he did...and it's no surprise Berbatov was poor in a game like that.

However, to make 3 subs and still have Gibson on the park and Carrick on the bench was evidence of how much SAF underrated Leeds.

The selection was not an insult to Leeds but a reflection of how inaccurate SAFs assessment was of their ability. Leeds were an unknown quantity beforehand and it is a big risk leaving out your better players.