WEM-BER-LEE, WEM-BER-LEE
Last updated : 20 May 2004 By Editor
Fergie:
"You hope complacency doesn't surface but I do trust the players in that respect. The opposition are underdogs in 90% of the games we play, so Millwall are no different in that respect.
"We have lost matches like this in the past and the club were also beaten by Southampton in 1976, so we can't go into the game thinking it can't happen. What we have to do is take every precaution to make sure it doesn't.
"We need a combination of focus, attitude and ability. Millwall are sure to give it a real go and we have to be ready for anything."
Tim Howard:
“The rest has definitely helped me. No player will ever go to the manager and say he needs some time off but I guess it is part of his job to know when players need a rest.
“He is a good man-manager and whatever the motivation behind his decision it has worked because I feel good now.
“I knew there was a month to go before the Cup Final and there were a lot of things to get through. I just needed to get my mind right and my body back together. For any player moving abroad, the first year is always difficult.
“I have learned a lot of things this season and hopefully the next one will be easier. A win next week would help to put some of the season's disappointments behind us. There was a sense of purpose about our performance on Saturday and we will need that again this weekend.
“Millwall may not be in the Premiership and they will turn up ready to compete on Saturday whether they are the best players in the country or not.”
Phil Neville:
"We don't want to go down in history as the Manchester United team who were the victims of such a giant-killing. That fear is driving us on."
Millwall right back Marvin Elliott:
"I am scared but there is no point crying about it. I would prefer to be there than not to be there. I just get on with it. It's just a completely different level, you can see that on the television, with the pace. It will be tough on Saturday but we are all up for it.
"I have had three games so far at right-back and this would be my fourth. I will just do my best against Ryan Giggs. It's a bit different, but I will play anywhere to get into the side. I had a little chat with [left-back] Robbie Ryan and Kevin Muscat and they have told me what to do.
"We are the underdogs so we will just go there, play and make sure we give them a good game. We don't want it to be a one-sided match, just waiting to see how many goals they will score.”
Millwall Midfielder Tim Cahill:
"There is lots of confidence in the squad. We are there on merit and we are not just there to make up the numbers. Obviously if we lose to Manchester United then we are losing against one of the best teams in the world, but we will give it our all.
"We are not scared. I suppose it is just we still can't believe the situation of playing against players like Paul Scholes, who are your idols and you look up to. I have supported Manchester United all my life. They are the players we all adored and wanted to be like.
"Now I have got the chance to play against them, I just want to do my best and earn some respect from them - for them to come off and say that we deserved to be on that pitch with them.
"To be scared is one thing, but to try and earn their respect is another. I am just going to enjoy the moment and hopefully take it in my stride. The occasion may not happen to me or the rest of the lads again so we just have to cherish the moment."
