24 Jan 2015

United held by Cambridge

6:03 pm on 24 January 2015

English football giants Manchester United have been held to a nil-all draw at fourth tier Cambridge United in the FA Cup fourth round after another embarrassing outing against lower league opposition.

Louis van Gaal, Manager of Manchester United and assistant, Ryan Giggs. 2014.

Louis van Gaal, Manager of Manchester United and assistant, Ryan Giggs. 2014. Photo: PHOTOSPORT

Cambridge, promoted from the minor leagues into the professional pyramid last season, gave the Manchester millionaires a lesson in terms of desire and defensive organisation.

The home side even had the best opportunity in the first half when Josh Coulson headed over from close range as the visitors, with Wayne Rooney rested, were reduced to half chances.

Louis van Gaal's side, dumped out of the League Cup 4-nil in the second round by third tier Milton Keynes Dons in August, improved after the break with Radamel Falcao going close but they had to settle for an Old Trafford replay.

Van Gaal said he was happy to still be in the competition after complaining that everything went against his team as Cambridge got a deserved draw at a packed Abbey Stadium.

"They have to come here, the pitch is not so good. The opponents are always giving a lot more than normally and defending is always easier than attacking and then you have the referee." Van Gaal said.

"We are still in the Cup, and that is the most important thing, because I have seen a lot of times that big clubs are losing against such an opponent."

Cambridge manager Richard Money did not believe his team stood a chance of winning the replay but said the match at Old Trafford would provide a huge financial boost to the club, which Sky Sports estimated at over 1 million pounds.

The rest of the 4th round FA cup matches are played over the weekend.

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