Nigel Clough has admitted that Sheffield United did not deserve an FA Cup clash with Manchester United after losing 3-1 to Preston North End in last night's fourth-round replay.
Jamie Murphy fired the Blades into a 1-0 lead at Bramall Lane, but a rousing second-half display saw Paul Gallagher and Paul Huntingdon seal Preston's progression.
United went into the clash knowing that victory would see them rewarded with a home tie against the Red Devils, and Clough admits to being "bitterly disappointed" at the outcome.
"I'm bitterly disappointed," Clough told Sky Sports News.
"For Manchester United, the biggest club in the country, to come to town as a League One club was a massive incentive but we didn't play like that was the carrot at the end of the tie.
"Maybe we thought the tie was over when we brought them back here but that is never the case against a team like Preston. They thoroughly deserved their victory, we were fortunate to be 1-0 up at half time."
Man United also won their fourth-round replay with a 3-0 win over Cambridge United at Old Trafford tonight.
Shane Callaghan
