Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson admitted his team were lucky to still be in the F.A. Cup, while Chelsea boss Rafa Benitez accused his United counterpart of snubbing a pre-match handshake.

United were seemingly on their way to the semi-finals after taking an early two-goal lead via Javier Hernandez and Wayne Rooney, before the Blues produced a brilliant comeback in the second half to force a replay.

Ferguson had little doubts about the fact that Chelsea were the better team in the second half, but insisted the main reason was the fact that his players got tired. "We're lucky to still be in the cup," Ferguson told the club's official website. "We just ran out of legs and Chelsea were far the better team in the second half.

"But I can't be critical of my side because the running they had to do on Tuesday night, against a really top side in Real Madrid, had its bearing on today's result, no doubt about that.

"The two full-backs, Rafael and Patrice (Evra), are knackered and the two central midfielders tired badly. We kept giving the ball away and it made it a long day for us, going from one penalty box and back to our own."

Benitez was given a lot of the plaudits for his substitutions early in the second half, bringing on goalscorer Eden Hazard and John Obi Mikel for Victor Moses and Frank Lampard, but Ferguson could not resist taking another dig at his old foe, saying the substitutions played little part in changing the game.

"They may think that (they changed the game). If you make substitutions and they work for you, it's easy to say that," he added. "But to be honest with you, I just thought we were running out of legs.

"I detected some tiredness because the players kept giving the ball away. When you see teams giving the ball away as we were doing then you have to understand why.

"I think the emotions and the intensity of Tuesday took their toll on some of the players, understandably. I've no problems with that but certainly they did feel it in the second half."

The winners of the replay at Stamford Bridge will face Manchester City next in the semis and Benitez feels if his side play the way they did at Old Trafford, they will be on their way to Wembley.

"We knew it would be tough and anything could happen," he said. "But we saw the character and reaction I expected. It means the players are working very hard and ready for the challenge. Until the end we will be fighting.

"I think we should have won the game. In the first half we made two mistakes and conceded two goals but had good chances on the counter and in the second half were on top. We had good chances until the end so it was a pity but it was a good game.

"In the second half we regained a lot of balls and played good football. We had great team spirit, working hard with passion and commitment and everything was possible.

"The team deserved the winning goal. All the players gave 100 percent, and for me that is enough."

Benitez has never enjoyed a great relationship with Ferguson, ever since going on that infamous rant about the United manager influencing referees. The Spaniard claimed he was ready to shake Ferguson's hands prior to the match, but the Scot gave him the snub.

"I was waiting at the beginning," he said. "It's up to him, I was in the way waiting.

"Ask him (why) if you are brave enough to ask him. It was his decision. I was ready and waiting. I have some education because I know a lot of people are watching so I know what I have to do."

Benitez was not available though for a handshake after the game. "I was with my players celebrating," he said.