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Ince laments poor defending

04/12/2008

Blackburn Rovers manager Paul Ince was left to rue some poor defending after watching his side beaten 5-3 by Manchester United in the Carling Cup.

Four goals from striker Carlos Tevez and one from winger Nani sealed Rovers' fate in the quarter-finals of the tournament as Ince retuned to his former stomping ground of Old Trafford for the first time as a manager.

However, he criticised his players for failing to have the right levels of concentration - particularly at the back – as they conceded twice in quick succession to go 4-1 down after pulling it back to 2-1 shortly after half-time.

"We were doing okay for 30 minutes, we really were and felt comfortable," Ince told Sky Sports.

"We weren't playing particularly well but didn't look in any danger.

"Then we conceded two goals and it's backs to the walls time - you can't do that against a side like Manchester United."

Ince said at half-time that he stressed to his players the importance of scoring first to put pressure back on the home side.

And although he praised his men for pulling a goal back early on, he admitted he was disappointed to see them concede again almost immediately.

"We got a great finish from Benni [McCarthy] just at the right time and then we gave a penalty away straight after," he said.

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