Fergie Proud Of His Team

The boss reckons Wayne Rooney gave his finest display of the season tomorrow but the teamwork was the biggest positive of today's semi-final.

The Reds won 4-1, Rooney scored twice, we'll play the first FA Cup final in the new Wembley so everything is rosy, apart from Rio's injury. But as the old saying goes, always look on the bright side of life.

"I thought it was a fantastic team display," Sir Alex told MUTV. "I'm really proud of them because in terms of losing Rio Ferdinand and having to reshape the team, it was a marvellous performance.

"Our courage was excellent and when you see the way the lads were in the dressing room after the match, it tells you we have got a special bunch of players.

"Watford are such an aggressive team and they ask the question of you: 'Are you prepared to put your head on this ball?` You have to be up to the challenge, it was a hard-working performance.

"The courage was excellent. Wes Brown and Gaby Heinze stuck their heads on every cross that came into our box. But we had so many outstanding players. Wayne Rooney was fantastic, that was his best performance this season. The goal threat from him and Cristiano Ronaldo will take us far. We scored four but we could have scored more."

Sir Alex, are you sure it was Rooney's best of the season? What about his hat-trick against Bolton? His brace against Allardyce's men at Old Trafford? The Roma game? It was only Watford, for heaven's sake, though it's true he played very well.

Just like Alan Smith whose return is an unexpected but welcome boost, especially with Saha struggling to shake off a hamstring injury.

"Alan Smith has breathed new life into us," Fergie said. "He has brought something different to the party. His enthusiasm is infectious, and defenders hate playing against him. I actually feel sorry for them sometimes because he is such a strong and determined lad. He is leading the line so well and running his guts out. He`s made a difference to us, I`m telling you. I`m pleased for the boy."

I think all United fans are thrilled to see Smith in such a form after his injury nightmare - for me, his goal against Roma and his performance today were the highlights of this week. Fergie might say that the eleven goals we scored in two games felt pretty good, too and he did not hesitate to acknowledge the fans' role in these wins.

"Our fans today, what do you make of them? They were absolutely out of this world. Sometimes I couldn`t even hear my bench when they were trying to pass me messages. It was unbelievable."

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