Ince blames defending

Boss disappointed after Rovers concede five at Old Trafford

Last updated: 3rd December 2008

Paul Ince Manchester United Blackburn Rovers Carling Cup Quarter Final

Ince: Disappointed

Blackburn boss Paul Ince was disappointed with his side's defending after Rovers crashed out of the Carling Cup.

An inspired Carlos Tevez scored three and Nani added another to go with a Aaron Mokoena own goal for the Red Devils, while substitute Benni McCarthy netted twice and Matt Derbyshire also scored for Rovers.

But it could have all been different as McCarthy netted to make it 2-1 before the game was put beyond Blackburn's reach as Tevez scored from the penalty spot after being tripped by Andre Ooijer.

Ince told Sky Sports News afterwards that his side had started well.

"We were doing okay for 30 minutes, we really were and felt comfortable. We were playing particularly well but didn't look in any danger," he said, but then his side conceded two goals "and then it's back to the walls and you can't do that against a side like Manchester United."

He added he told his players at half-time that if they could get the next goal then it would be game back on again.

Great finish

"We did that, a great finish from Benni just at the right time and then we gave a penalty away straight away," he said.

"You can't defend like that at any level, let alone against Man Utd."

He added that Rovers were not too sure whether it had been a penalty.

"When I spoke to Andre (Ooijer) he doesn't think it was a penalty and that kills us - at 2-1 we thought we were back in the game but we keep doing it to ourselves.

"We did it at Pompey last week and we did it again today. And yet we've come here and got three goals at Old Trafford so we're scoring goals just not keeping them out."