You Cocked Up Fergie ... Big Style!

The two burning issues on most United fans' minds are why Alan Smith was left on the bench in preference to a midfield pairing of John O'Shea and Darren Fletcher and what exactly Mikael Silvestre was doing in central defence ahead of Wes Brown?

Ferguson bizarrely claimed he picked Silvestre to help out his new French full-back Patrice Evra, who was handed his debut in the most robust of all contests. No matter which way you look at it, the move was a disaster.

Evra, totally unused to the physical nature of English game, was comprehensively outplayed by Trevor Sinclair. The £5million arrival from Monaco was AWOL when Sinclair put City in front, then lost a key header to the former England man in the move which saw Darius Vassell double the Blues lead.

The 24-year-old Evra was put out of his misery at half-time and the only surprise was Silvestre did not join him.

At one stage in his United career, Silvestre's pace and strength made up for frequent lapses in concentration. Not any more. Now, he is little more than a liability and if it is true Lyon are interested in taking him home, Malcolm Glazer should snatch Gerard Houllier's hand off.

Celtic's stunning Scottish Cup defeat to Clyde has quickly silenced those who lament Roy Keane's departure but Smith, Fletcher and O'Shea appear incapable of carrying the midfield fight in Paul Scholes' absence.

The whole sorry mess was summed up by the sight of Rio Ferdinand being shoved over on the touchline by Vassell.