Alex Ferguson claimed Manchester United would not have been flattered if they had scored "six or seven" in their Carling Cup semi-final thriller with Manchester City last night.
While Roberto Mancini felt the Blues were largely comfortable, Ferguson saw a different game, one where the Red Devils were in total control.
"We missed a lot of chances," he said. "Edwin van der Sar made one marvellous save (from a Micah Richards' shot) after half-time but we produced a marvellous performance in the second half.
"We could have scored six or seven."
As it turned out, Wayne Rooney's injury-time header was required to book a Wembley date with Aston Villa on February 28th after Carlos Tevez had taken the contest to the brink of extra-time with a superb finish.
Paul Scholes and Michael Carrick had earlier put United ahead on aggregate in a game in which Ferguson felt Rooney produced a performance better than the one that saw him score four against Hull on Saturday.
"It was much better than Saturday," Ferguson said of his number one striker, who played up front on his own.
"I know he (Rooney) scored four goals but tonight his control leading the line and his link up play was fantastic. Overall it was a wonderful performance. World class."
City manager Mancini could not hide his disappointment after his side's agonising failure to reach the Carling Cup final.
"After our goal I did not think it was possible for us to lose," he claimed. "I am very disappointed because, apart from 10 minutes, we played very well.
"But next time we will have to pay more attention because Wayne Rooney is one of the best strikers in the world. If you give him a chance to score he will take it."
Mancini refused to be downcast though, insisting City will emerge as a stronger force because of this disappointment.
"Kolo Toure and Emmanuel Adebayor are back with us now and Joleon Lescott is nearly fit," he said. "With those players I think it is possible for us to get into the top four.
"But it is important that we improve because of this game and at least we still have the FA Cup to play for."
Meanwhile, Mancini confirmed talks are ongoing for Robinho to leave City for either Santos or Sao Paulo on loan but it was by no means certain the Brazilian will be heading out of the Premier League despite his confidence a deal will be struck.
"Robinho spoke with me yesterday," said the Italian. "It is possible that he will go to play for Santos or another team, so we preferred not to risk him.
"But that is the only reason he was not involved. If he is still here at the end of the transfer window, he can play for us."