Sir Alex Ferguson all but blamed Nani for Manchester United's extraordinary 5-4 League Cup defeat to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

The Portuguese winger scored during the tie but gave the ball away late on in normal time to set up the Chelsea move that ended in Eden Hazard's dramatic penalty, converted with the last kick of normal time to level the game at 3-3.

Ferguson told Sky Sports 1: "We gave the ball away for the third goal having been in complete control of the match at that point.

"All we needed to do was see the game out with good possession.

"Nani is experienced but he's a player who wants to beat men and I often discourage him from that.

"In that situation, if we'd kept the ball at the corner flag, the game's over.

"We had a lot of attacks and nothing came of them, and their counter-attack was very good, but if you're winning 3-2 in the final seconds of the game then you should see it out.

"We've only got ourselves to blame really.

"They're at home, you'd expect them to attack and they did.

"The way we approach games is always wanting to win, so you were always going to get an open game."

The veteran Red Devils boss had kinder words for Giggs, though, who scored the last goal of a frenetic cup tie.

"Ryan Giggs is a player of absolutely unbelievable proportions in terms of playing 120 minutes at nearly 39 years of age," Ferguson added.

"It's a credit to himself and it's an example to every player on that pitch, even the Chelsea players

Daniel Sturridge dedicated Chelsea's win to the club's fans. The striker scored his side's fourth goal, in extra time.

Sturridge told Sky Sports 1: "It's great. It's important that we came out here with the right attitude because the manager criticised us for not starting well enough (on Sunday).

"It's just about putting a smile on the fans' faces again because I feel that they were disappointed after the weekend."

It was Sturridge's first start of the season with boss Roberto di Matteo electing to start Fernando Torres in every game before tonight's clash.

"I've been out of the starting positions so I didn't feel as sharp in front of goal.

"I'm delighted I scored but I know I need to get sharper.

"I'm really glad the manager gave me the chance up front today, that's all I've wanted throughout my Chelsea career.

"I'm really happy that he's put faith in me tonight and hopefully he'll do it again."