LET'S ALL HAVE A WHIP-ROUND…

Fergie:

“I couldn't envisage us winning the game at half-time. We were very indisciplined in the first half and that encouraged Leeds. But in fairness they responded to it and started playing once they felt they had a chance.

“We take our performance seriously. We always look for a performance. It was a pressing game because Leeds always give us a good game. They could have been two or three up at half-time, but once they did score we started to play.

“I felt it was the type of game that if we win, fine, but if not it was good experience for the young players.”

Peter Reid:

“It was a great game, but we are just not getting the rub of the green. I saw the penalty incident, when Cyril seemed to get dragged down, was a decent shout, only for them to then go up the other end and score.

“I'm disappointed for my players and supporters, but we cannot feel sorry for ourselves. We have to get on with it. My players have done tremendously well, but they must be scratching their heads wondering when they are going to get a break because things just aren't going for us.

“Surely things must even themselves out and when they do, we are going to get some great decisions being given for us.

“Obviously, the financial thing is out of my hands. We just have to get results and I'm sure we will get them and that things will change if we continue to show the same kind of spirit and attitude.”

MEN in ‘humour’ shocker:

United fans have renamed the South Stand at Elland Road in honour of their new French striker's first goal for the club ... it will henceforth be known as the Bellion End.

And on last night’s impressive debutante Chris Eagles:

The 17-year-old has had to endure the tiresome "new David Beckham" tag after signing from Watford's academy two years ago.

The right-sided midfielder is from Hemel Hempstead and has a lovely touch, excellent cross and is a terrific passer with a devastating shot but comparisons are always unfair.

He showed his credentials as a member of United's victorious FA Youth Cup team last year, even though he was from the younger end of the group of players Brian McClair had to pick from, he doesn't turn 18 until next month.

After impressing at that level, he took the step up to make his reserve team debut in May, and was awarded both a contract extension and the squad number 45 during the summer.

United have had to pay Watford an undisclosed amount of compensation for Eagles, although it was cleared by the sale of Danny Webber to the Hornets in July.

The Guardian reports:

Rio Ferdinand is expected to be charged today over the now infamous drugs test that never was but whatever action the FA takes and whatever controversy it stirs, Manchester United will agree their problems are minimal when compared to those of their hosts last night.

Announcing record financial losses is one thing, but it is the impoverished state of the team that will most gall Leeds supporters.

That they had to endure the agonies of extra-time was symptomatic of the day, not least because David Bellion had been marginally offside before scoring the goal that brought about the additional 30 minutes. The decisive moment, Eric Djemba-Djemba's winner, also carried a sizable element of fortune.

It was difficult not to pity Leeds, but the side in red probably deserved it. Roque Junior's first goal for Leeds had given the home side the lead but Ferguson's team, minus Ferdinand, emerged as the stronger.

Diego Forlan's close-range finish appeared to have settled the tie in their favour before Roque Junior scored his second of the night, only to be trumped with two minutes remaining.

Given the history of trans- Pennines hostilities, it would be only natural for Manchester United's millionaires to be consumed with schadenfraude at the plight of their old adversaries, but Ferguson has problems of his own, albeit of a different nature.

Putting aside, for one moment, the Ferdinand affair and Paul Scholes's groin operation, the Old Trafford manager has become so perturbed by the slump in Cristiano Ronaldo's form he did not include him in the squad, citing fatigue and pointing out that "a lot has been happening in the boy's life".

This was a chance for the understudies to state their case, Ferguson making six changes to the already-watered-down team who capitulated against Fulham of Saturday, and apart from a couple of shaky moments involving John O'Shea, who is yet to reproduce his form of last season, there was a definite improvement compared to the lethargy that had consumed them at the weekend.

Leeds had been marginally the better side and Smith had the ball in the net soon after the restart, following up after Roy Carroll had spilled Seth Johnson's shot. To the crowd's intense irritation, Smith was correctly ruled offside but the disappointment did not last.

Quinton Fortune inexplicably conceded a corner when it was clear Ian Harte's cross was going out anyway and, with the defenders ballwatching, Roque Junior was unchallenged as he headed in Johnson's centre.

Then it was Bellion's turn to have a goal ruled out for offside but, crucially, the linesman's flag stayed down when it should have gone up 12 minutes from the end of normal time. On that occasion Bellion, making his first start of the season, kept his nerve to run on to Djemba-Djemba's pass and score with a low shot through Paul Robinson's legs.

Apparently the draw for the next round takes place tonight though RI hasn’t seen confirmation of that.