Sir Alex Ferguson defended his decision to drop Ruud van Nistelrooy to the bench after watching Manchester United cruise to victory in the Carling Cup final against Wigan.

Louis Saha was preferred to van Nistelrooy in attack and the France striker bundled in the second goal of the 4-0 win at the Millennium Stadium, taking his tally to six in the competition this season.

"He deserved to play because he's scored five goals in previous games," Ferguson said. "Since he's been fit he'd scored 10 in 13 games, there's a danger of overlooking it and not giving him his credit."

Van Nistelrooy was not used as a substitute but Ferguson believes such disappointments are part of the game.

"He seemed to be okay in the dressing room before the game and he was okay with the players," Ferguson added.

"He's disappointed but he had to be disappointed because that's the nature of it. I've had disappointment myself, dropped in a cup final in 1965, so it happens. It's a horrible life that way."