Alex Ferguson: I'll wield axe

United grind out
single goal victory

From James Fletcher at Old Trafford

ANGRY Alex Ferguson went on the warpath last night and promised to axe some of his star players unless they pull their socks up.

Manchester United chief Fergie was furious after watching his side almost throw away victory.

Only the woodwork and several stunning saves from keeper Tim Howard preserved the slender lead handed to them by Cristiano Ronaldo's first-half goal.

And Fergie issued a warning that he is now willing to break hearts when he names his FA Cup semi-final team to face Newcastle next month.

He fumed: "We have players like John O'Shea and Alan Smith who are fresh and maybe they will come in for that game.

"That is the challenge I am throwing down to the players. If the level of performance does not improve by the semi-final, there will be changes.

"It's down to them because performances matter at this club.

"Fulham had two fantastic chances towards the end and we should have won the game a lot earlier than we did. It was disappointing.

Changes

"It should have been comfortable but we made it so difficult for ourselves.

"If things do not match up to what I want to see, I will make changes. I have to think about it. Ronaldo's goal was fantastic and he was the only player who kept his level of performance up all day."

Fulham boss Chris Coleman admitted he ordered his team to sit back before launching themselves at the Reds in the final 20 minutes.

That plan paid off in December when Papa Bouba Diop secured a late point against United at Craven Cottage. And, yesterday, it very nearly worked again.

First, Lee Clark shot from the edge of the area only for the right-hand upright to intervene. Howard then stopped Carlos Bocanegra's volleyed rebound, before the Fulham defender smashed another effort against team-mate Steed Malbranque.

To make matters worse, former United hero Andy Cole fired an effort through Howard's legs in injury-time but it flew across goal and out for a corner.

Coleman said: "If you have a go at United from the start, all you will end up with is a cricket score because they have some of the best players in the country and Europe.

Cautious

"Let's not forget who we were up against. If you try and go at them all the time it is asking for trouble, so we had a cautious approach.

"At half-time, we had the belief that, the longer the game went on, we had a chance to get a goal back."

Even Fergie confessed: "I was just relieved at the end after two fantastic saves from Tim Howard.

"In that situation it draws comparisons to the game at Fulham. When you think we have only scored two goals in those games and you look at the opportunities we have had, it becomes almost farcical."

He added: "Second place is still important for us, this club should be looking at automatic qualification for the Champions League — that is what I am attempting to do here."

Quite how Fulham got within sniffing distance of an equaliser still remains a mystery as they refused to make this game a contest until the dying moments. Pity.

Had they shown a bit of belief, who knows what might have happened — especially given West Brom's magnificent win at Charlton.

At times, this game had more of a testimonial feel to it with Chelsea holding an 11-point Premiership lead.

Fulham seemed intent merely to keep the score down as United were allowed time and space on the ball. With little pressure, they played in a relaxed manner and could have led after just seven minutes through Wayne Rooney.

Ruud van Nistelrooy found Ronaldo on the left, he raced into the box and crossed but his ball was behind the England striker who failed to get a proper connection eight yards out.

Fizzed

Roy Keane then cut infield from the right and unleashed a low shot which fizzed towards Edwin van der Sar's goal, only for Zat Knight to deflect it behind for a corner.

Quinton Fortune crossed from the left for Paul Scholes to head just wide, then Gabriel Heinze lashed a left-footed volley just over the bar. It was too easy.

Fulham thought they had a penalty claim after Mikael Silvestre shouldered Cole to the floor but ref Andy D'Urso rightly waved play on.

Ronaldo finally made the breakthrough after 21 minutes with a breathtaking piece of skill.

Keane robbed Diop in midfield to feed Ronaldo on the left, he danced along the touchline, cut inside Liam Rosenior and then curled the ball around Van Der Sar from the edge of the area. Sublime. He could have added a second moments later after controlling a 40-yard ball from Silvestre first time with his chest and volleying at goal.

This time, his execution was tame and Van Der Sar saved.

Fulham lost heart and United's superstars were allowed to practise their passing game without needing to use second gear.

Casual

United's casual approach was perhaps understandable but, why oh why, didn't Fulham give it more of a go — especially given their precarious position in the league.

Rooney tested Van Der Sar from distance with a shot along the ground, then Ronaldo could have wrapped it up with a drilled shot which flew past the upright.

With the game seemingly won, United switched off and gave Fulham three genuine chances to equalise.

Fergie's men hung on but they could so easily have blown it.

which flashed past the upright.

Fulham coach Cole, whose side grabbed a 1-1 draw at Craven Cottage earlier in the season, said: "If you have a go at United from the start all you will end up with is a cricket score because they have some of the best players in the country and Europe. Lets not forget who we were up against.

"If you try and go at them all the time it is asking for trouble so we had a cautious approach.

"At half-time when we went in at 1-0 we came out with the belief that, the longer the game went on, we had a chance to get a goal back. We were playing Manchester United today and you have to understand what we were up against.

"We are looking over our shoulder and we are far from out of trouble. I need to see a high level of performance against Portsmouth."