Ferguson on an FA Cup mission

BIRMINGHAM – Alex Ferguson is on a mission to lift the sixth FA Cup of his glittering managerial career at Old Trafford after Manchester United comfortably secured their place in the final to complete a perfect seven days.

While their performance may not have reached the giddy heights of the annihilation of Roma in midweek, United inched Ferguson closer towards a stunning treble after destroying Watford’s dream. Ferguson’s perfect record both at Villa Park and in semi-finals with United remained intact at a canter after Wayne Rooney’s two goals and strikes from Cristiano Ronaldo and Kieran Richardson brought them a 4-1 victory.It was nothing to compare with the stunning thrashing of Italians Roma in their midweek Champions League encounter but another step towards Ferguson emulating his achievements of 1999 with triumphs in Europe, the Premiership and FA Cup.* Meanwhile, Robbie Keane scored two goals and set up another Sunday in Tottenham’s 3-3 draw at Wigan in the Premier League.On Saturday, Arsenal ended a four-match winless streak with a 2-1 victory over Bolton, and third-place Liverpool drew 0-0 with Manchester City, Also Saturday, it was: Middlesbrough 1, Aston Villa 3; Portsmouth 2, Newcastle 1; Reading 1, Fulham 0; and Sheffield United 3, West Ham 0.Nampa-ReutersFerguson’s perfect record both at Villa Park and in semi-finals with United remained intact at a canter after Wayne Rooney’s two goals and strikes from Cristiano Ronaldo and Kieran Richardson brought them a 4-1 victory.It was nothing to compare with the stunning thrashing of Italians Roma in their midweek Champions League encounter but another step towards Ferguson emulating his achievements of 1999 with triumphs in Europe, the Premiership and FA Cup.* Meanwhile, Robbie Keane scored two goals and set up another Sunday in Tottenham’s 3-3 draw at Wigan in the Premier League.On Saturday, Arsenal ended a four-match winless streak with a 2-1 victory over Bolton, and third-place Liverpool drew 0-0 with Manchester City, Also Saturday, it was: Middlesbrough 1, Aston Villa 3; Portsmouth 2, Newcastle 1; Reading 1, Fulham 0; and Sheffield United 3, West Ham 0.Nampa-Reuters