Football
9y

Draw with Man United a 'dream result,' says Cambridge's Ryan Donaldson

Midfielder Ryan Donaldson hailed Cambridge's 0-0 FA Cup fourth-round draw against Manchester United as a "dream result" after the League Two side earned a fourth-round replay at Old Trafford.

Seventy-five places separated the two sides in the football pyramid, but at times it was difficult to tell which had won the competition on a record 11 occasions.

Louis van Gaal's side endured a frustrating night at the R Costings Abbey Stadium and Donaldson tried to describe the magnitude of Cambridge's achievement at the final whistle.

"It was really hard," Donaldson told the BBC. "We got penned in a bit.

"They've got world-class players, you know it's going to be difficult, but the draw was a dream result for us and we've got it.

"They've had two great chances [in the] second half. I thought it was quite an even game in terms of chances, but we'll take a draw any day."

Donaldson's thoughts soon turned to the replay, which is scheduled to take place at Old Trafford on Tuesday, February 3.

"It's going to be a bit surreal," he added.

"We went to Wembley twice last year and the gaffer's been saying all season that this cup run can give us those moments again.

"We're off to Old Trafford, it's not bad it is?"

Former Manchester United midfielder Luke Chadwick, who came on as a second-half substitute, hailed Cambridge's efforts in keeping his former employers at bay.

"[Cambridge] did well in the first half, had the odd chance, second half the defence was superb -- it's an incredible result, it doesn't even feel real really. What a night," he said on Radio 5 Live.

Josh Coulson might have scored following a pinball in the United box in the first half, while Chris Dunn saved from substitute Robin van Persie and Angel Di Maria in quick succession to earn a replay in Manchester which will provide a major financial boost for Cambridge.

Asked if he thought Cambridge, promoted to League Two last season after nine years in non-league football, can go to Old Trafford and win, coach Richard Money said: "No. I don't, but you never know. We've said in the dressing room you're going to Old Trafford. Who cares what happens? Just go and enjoy it, soak it in. Whatever happens, happens.

"[It is] difficult to put into words just how proud we are. When you get back in the dressing room and recover, you just suddenly start to think about what it means to so many people.

"This club has been in the doldrums for 10 years, out of the Football League, and suddenly here we are taking everybody back to Old Trafford. It's incredible."

Money thought his side gave a good account of themselves and that it was scripted that Chadwick would score against his former club.

"We knew that they'd have a lot of the ball, but I thought in the first half we pinched it a few times and looked dangerous," Money added. "Second half we've shown all the character, all the courage. There were one or two little thrills and spills and you thought maybe the game was made for Chadwick to find something. I suppose he was more intent on getting back to Old Trafford."

Money said earlier in the week that his players would have to pay for a new shirt if they swapped with their opponents.

"Not one player asked me [if they could swap]," Money added. "We might buy them one now, though."

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