Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson. Photo / AP

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson. Photo / AP

LONDON - Sir Alex Ferguson has no one to blame but himself for Manchester United's FA Cup semifinal defeat to Everton today, English newspapers said.

Media commentators said the actions of the United manager, who fielded a depleted side to preserve his top players for this week's Premier League clash with Portsmouth, had put paid to any suggestion of winning five major trophies.

Ferguson made eight changes from the starting line-up that beat FC Porto four days before and fielded a side packed with youngsters and fringe players.

"Manchester United... have distracted themselves to defeat at last. On this rare occasion, they could not keep one tournament under control while preserving players for the two others that are still open to them," said the Guardian.

"This was the day the master plan fused and his strategy for winning an unprecedented five competitions was ripped up and tossed into the nearest waste-paper basket.

"The word `quintuple' can now disappear from the football lexicon as quickly as it arrived."

There were concerns about what this meant for the future of the FA Cup, that Ferguson appeared so prepared to gamble on the title.

"Much has been done in recent years to restore the magic of the FA Cup, but yesterday Fergie did his best to put it back in the shadows," said the Daily Mirror.

The Daily Telegraph added: "On first seeing United's team-sheet, it seemed almost that Ferguson had chosen a team for the FA Youth Cup semifinal, not to challenge for a place in the final of the world's oldest cup competition.

"Ferguson traditionally treats the Cup with esteem and had not lost one of his eight previous semifinals. Not here."

On the positive side, The Times said, it had given Everton manager David Moyes a chance to shine.

"To some, it may have left a sour taste - and it did not help make much of a game - but it allowed us to see what the FA Cup meant to the players, coaches and supporters of Everton," it said.

- AFP