IT'S ALL ABOUT WINNING

"TELL me Fergie, would you still want to win trophies if it meant you had to play football the Liverpool way?"

That was the question one adventurous hack claimed he would pose to the Manchester United manager, if he turned up at the post-match press conference. Which he didn't.

Because, truth be told, if United ever have to stoop to such depths of tedium in order to lift paltry silverware, that is the day they can tear down Old Trafford and replace it with an even bigger megastore.

Liverpool boss Gerard Houllier hinted at his club's mentality in his own press conference when he said, "the culture and philosophy of Liverpool is about winning trophies".

It's all a bit Steve Davis, while United are more Jimmy White.

It might be fine for Liverpool, but United fans - and I mean the die-hard fans rather than gravy train jibbers and Johnny-come-lately pot-hunters - such fare would be unappetising.

The trophy was always irrelevant - it remains a Mickey Mouse Cup, and winning it would not have changed anybody's opinion on that.The dejection was simply about losing to bitter rivals, and bitter rivals who play such a depressing brand of football.

That is the only reason yesterday was a bad, bad day to be a Manchester United fan.

Still, it could be worse. You could support Liverpool, and be happy with the end while ignoring the means.