I was shocked to see the Manchester United line-up for the FA Cup semi-final against Everton.

Selections like these always bring up the debate on whether it shows a lack of respect to the opposition. Alex Ferguson did play a lot of the young lads, but I think if any manager has the right to make that decision then it’s him.

This is because they have been so successful over the years and with their record we can’t doubt that he sets out to win every competition they play in.

I think playing a team such as Everton, who are a strong side physically and have some good players, that maybe with hindsight he should have picked a stronger team as they are now out of the competition.

However, over the 90 minutes and extra time I thought that United were the stronger team and were quite unlucky to lose the game. I really don’t think Ferguson was showing a lack of respect, it was just a time in the season when he thought it was ok to give some of his bigger names – who have been playing a lot – a rest, and it backfired.

Had they won on penalties I don’t think there would be such media hype about him playing so many young players, but because they lost it has all been dramatized. If they now go on to win the Premier League and the Champions League I don’t think many people who follow the club will mind.

Personally, if I was one of the big-name players he left out I would have been disappointed. Especially as it was a big game at Wembley, the semi-finals and the chance to win the Cup.

But I would also understand that with the amount of fixtures and the number of competitions that United are in, they are playing big games every week. When you play for big clubs like United then most of the players realize they won’t be able to play in every single game.
Danny Murphy / Eurosport

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