Soccer: Moyes fed up with squandered opportunities

Manchester United's manager David Moyes. Photo / AP

David Moyes rued the blow of another late equaliser and warned his Manchester United players they cannot afford to keep dropping points.

United moved up to sixth in the Premier League after taking a point but they would have returned to the top four for the first time since August had they held their 2-1 lead at Cardiff City. Last month, United drew 1-1 at home to Southampton, after the visitors Adam Lallana bundled in a last-minute free kick, and Moyes was frustrated at what felt like a repeat.

"I am disappointed," he said. "Like Southampton, we had it under control with a minute to go but we conceded from a set piece and it cost us."

United are now unbeaten in 10 games in all competitions, but this ended the three-game league winning streak after victories over Stoke City, Fulham and Arsenal.

"We have been on a pretty good run, but that is a blow.

"We cannot keep dropping two points with where we are."

Although United were close to a victory, Cardiff created more chances and Moyes was unhappy with his side's midfield struggles.

"We could have played better. We didn't have a lot of rhythm in the second half. I would probably have taken a result however it came. I would have liked it to be better, but it wasn't to be."

Moyes was frustrated, though, that Cardiff's stoppage-time equaliser came from a free kick taken again after Gary Medel appeared to slap Marouane Fellaini as Peter Whittingham was delivering the ball for the first time.

"If you slap someone in the face then you would expect some action to be taken. We lost our concentration as the referee gave them a talking to. It gave them two bites at the cherry."

It was the second flashpoint in the game, after Wayne Rooney kicked out at Jordon Mutch after eight minutes but was only booked by referee Neil Swarbrick.

- Independent