VIEWS FROM THE PRESS BOX

Last updated : 30 October 2002 By Editor

When Sir Alex Ferguson claimed many of his first-team stars were in need of a rest, surely he meant the ones he left at home for the trip to Cyprus?

Not the shambolic, disjointed and ultimately ineffective bunch here who looked as though they were the ones recharging their batteries under the sun-drenched skies of the holiday island. Although he left several key players behind to protect against tiredness, this morning Ferguson cannot even hide behind the excuse this was a makeshift United side with limited experience.

With ten internationals in his starting line-up, this was a side Ferguson expected to go out and win. The United boss can not have expected such a meek display from those selected.

True, United may have been missing nine established players - the five rested and four injured - but they should have had enough strength in depth to cope with such high-profile losses.But this result emphasised the alarming lack of adequate first-team cover at Fergie's disposal when he is deprived of his established personnel, whether by injury or choice.

Only 18-year-old winger Kieran Richardson, making his first competitive start for United and only his second appearance in all, could be considered a unknown quantity in an otherwise strong side.And with Barthez rested, it also meant a first competitive start for Spanish keeper Ricardo.

After scoring his first Premiership goal at the weekend in 24 attempts, much was expected of Diego Forlan, starting his third successive match. But - no pun intended - the Uruguayan still cut a forlorn figure up front, with little in the way of chances.

When Katan won the ball just outside the United area, there seemed no real danger. But he was allowed enough space and time to compose himself before sending a looping shot over Ricardo and into the net.O'Shea appeared most at fault for the goal, but the entire United rearguard were guilty of standing back and allowing Katan to make the breakthrough Maccabi deserved.

Yet within two minutes United found themselves 2-0 down, O'Shea again the culprit. The Irishman stood on the ball in clumsy fashion, losing it on the edge of the area to Yacubu Ayegbeni.

It proved a nightmare first start for Ricardo, whose misery was complete in the 75th minute when he gave away a penalty for hauling down