Goals from Danny Welbeck and Michael Owen with his third of the season were enough to overcome a spirited Barnsley side at Oakwell.

The only downside for Ferguson was Gary Neville's sending off in the second half for going through the back of Adam Hammill.

Ferguson, who made 11 changes to the team that lost to Liverpool, told Sky Sports: "Barnsley worked very hard and put in a lot of effort and they had one or two chances after we went down to 10 men.

"But overall I think we deserved to win the game and I'm delighted with the response from the players.

"We didn't play as well as we could have, but we are through and happy with that."

Owen finished superbly after being released by Fabio and Ferguson said: "It was a fantastic goal, he had such quick feet, it was a marvellous finish."

However the former Newcastle striker remains irritated by what is expected of him.

"A start and a goal, you can't ask for more than that, " he said. "It is how people judge me unfortunately.

"I started a game against Bolton and was pretty pleased and thought I played pretty well. Then I looked at the papers and was given a three or four.

"But in this game I played pretty average and scored a goal and I'll probably get seven out of 10.

"I think I deserved a five in this game and seven or eight from the Bolton game."

Ferguson had no quarrel with referee Chris Foy for handing Neville a straight red card.

He added: "I've just seen the sending off, and Gary did follow through with the tackle and caught the player.

"It was not high, just above the ankle, but in the present climate I would say that the referee was probably correct."

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