Watch Burnley vs Portsmouth Live Streaming
Watch Burnley vs Portsmouth Live StreamingFor the previous six months, Ferguson had listened to the increasingly confident noises swirling out of Eastlands.
He had to stare at the poster of Carlos Tevez, declaring: "Welcome to Manchester", not finding it anything like as amusing as everyone else.
He had tried to dismiss Manchester City as "the noisy neighbours" following a 4-3 epic at Old Trafford in September.
He had heard, but not responded to the boastful comments of City chief executive Garry Cook, who claimed it was a matter of when and not if his side would book their long-awaited Wembley appearance. It was time for something to be done.
And do it United did. From the dominance of their performance right through to the last-minute header from Wayne Rooney that sealed a deserved victory in the tie itself, Ferguson and his players were not prepared to lie down.
It is that cussed streak that has been the hallmark of the Scot's incredible 23-year Old Trafford journey.
