UNITED SHRIMPED AT SOUTHEND

“We are disappointed because our club can't accept being beaten in any kind of competition, even a friendly, because of the expectation level.

“But I know that tomorrow we can get our togs on and start working again because that's the name of the game at this club. Not to look back but look forward.

“We've had a disappointment but there'll be no knee-jerk reaction, no mass sackings or suicides I hope, but a lot of recriminations.

“We'll get panned in the press but by doing that you're taking away from the performance that Southend gave.

“I think we started a bit slack and they got some impetus from that. The goal they scored was incredible, it was fantastic. I don't think the boy will score another one like it in his lifetime.

“If you're going to be beaten, it's better to be beaten by something special. I think it was something special.”

On Ronaldo:

“Our one player who really did play well tonight. He's had four or five fantastic strikes at goal and the goalkeeper's been magnificent. I thought he was the star man, I must say.

“The longer it went on, the more frustrated we became. But towards the last fifteen or twenty minutes, they were just parked at the edge of their box and we found that difficult.

“The result is another great reminder of what football is all about and how it can smack you in the face. There'll be a few players who are a bit embarrassed and our supporters will be disappointed.

“But defeat doesn't do anyone any harm, as long as they can improve from it and learn by it. We've had three defeats this season, all one-nils, so there's not a lot wrong and we'll be ready for Saturday.”

Southend's Steve Tilson:

“The players don't know how lucky they are but they can be pleased with themselves tonight. It was a fantastic night for everyone. What happened this evening still hasn't sunk in. I was afraid of getting beat four, five or six nil.

“That was a good Premiership side they put out tonight. But they never really put us under the cosh and the lads never froze. Forty-six league games might be bigger than this but as a one-off this was fantastic. And I was very pleased to keep a clean sheet after the way we have been letting goals in recently.

“I knew it would take a strong performance to keep the score respectable against what was a pretty strong United side. The confidence has not been great and I was worried what would happen if they started scoring a few goals.

“Manchester United are the Premiership leaders, they are a top side and they were always going to have some decent spells in the game. But in the end I was surprised by them because they didn't really put us under real pressure at any stage.

“They had some chances but we opened them up at times too, and once we got to the final 15 minutes, I really felt we could do it, that we could actually beat them.”

Freddy Eastwood:

“I am a Manchester United fan and to play them was unbelievable. I wanted to take the free-kick. I fancied my chances and as soon as I hit it I knew it was in. It hasn't sunk in.

“It was a phenomenal result against a strong side. Tonight we were just looking for a good performance and, to be honest, I just wanted to keep the score down.”

Goalkeeper Darryl Flahaven:

“It was a massive game against one of the biggest clubs and my best match in seven years at the club. It was my night. Cristiano Ronaldo's free-kicks can really swerve and dip. He can certainly hit.

“I knew it was going to be a busy night for me. We knew we would be under pressure and all the lads defended brilliantly. It is a tremendous achievement. When we saw the side they put out we knew we were in for a game.

“I'm pleased to make the saves and we are looking forward to the next round. This might be a confidence-booster for us to pick ourselves up.”