Ferguson calm despite cup defeat

Ferguson looks on as his team crash out of the Carling Cup

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson said his side must quickly put behind them the shock 1-0 Carling Cup defeat at Southend on Tuesday.

He said: "We need to look forward, not back. It was a disappointing night but there is no need for a knee-jerk reaction, no mass sackings.

"Maybe there will be a little bit of recrimination and maybe a few of my players will be embarrassed.

"They have to pick themselves up, that is the name of the game at this club."

United fell to Freddie Eastwood's stunning first-half 30-yard free-kick.

And Ferguson said: "I bet he doesn't score another goal like that in his life.

"If you are going to lose, it might as well be to something special like that."

There is no harm in defeat providing it improves you and you can learn from it Sir Alex Ferguson

"It is a great reminder to everyone at the club that football can smack you in the face.

"I have been here 20 years and I am not impervious to it either.

"In a way, it is great for me because I know tomorrow we can pull our togs on and start working again.

"There is no harm in defeat providing it improves you and you can learn from it.

606 DEBATE: Your reaction to United's defeat

"We have lost three times this season now, all 1-0, so there is not much wrong with us.

"Our form in the league has been good and we will be ready to face Blackburn on Saturday."