From the moment Man City equalized, everyone knew Manchester United were finished!
Even if they managed to hold on to the three-three draw in the end, they were doomed in the replay a week later.
After playing with an extra man for more than eighty minutes, yet still conceding three goals in a row to the opposition, all that could be said was that Man United had been completely beaten and broken by Man City.
Although Ferguson's team currently sat second in the Premier League table, their performances this season had been far from satisfactory. It could only be said that Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur, Newcastle, and the other teams below them had been even worse, allowing Manchester United to climb into second place.
Now, this FA Cup match had mercilessly torn open all of Manchester United's wounds.
They had enjoyed an extra man for almost the entire match, the referee had awarded them a penalty, and they had led by three goals at halftime. Yet they had still been pegged back. Other than saying, "I'm impressed," what else could anyone say?
The final few minutes of the match felt more like a coy tug-of-war between Man City and Man United.
Manchester United had been stripped completely bare and exposed before the world without a shred of dignity. But at least a small scrap of cloth still covered them. Even if it was merely an act of self-deception, at least they had not been utterly humiliated.
But Man City had gotten a taste for it and still wanted to pull, tugging hard with all their might.
That was more than Manchester United could take.
Damn it, I've already been utterly humiliated. Can't you at least leave me one pathetic scrap of cloth?
*What if I lose to you again