SUNDERLAND manager Peter Reid admitted last night he almost substituted winger Julio Varga before the Argentinian teenager put Sunderland level against Manchester United.

Reid's side went on to win 2-1 and the manager confessed: "I was going to drag him off because I just thought he was looking leggy.

"Then Kevin Phillips put the ball across and Julio got on the end of it."

At the end Reid was delighted with the way his team fought their way back into the game and won through to a quarter-final tie against Crystal Palace, who beat Tranmere on penalties.

But he wasn't happy with the way his side started the game.

He said: "We didn't really start playing until we were 1-0 down and into the second half.

"But once we got into the game it was pulsating and it went right to the wire."

Reid admitted that Sunderland were fortunate not to concede a penalty in the 78th minute when goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen seemed to bring down Jonathan Greening.

He said: "I thought it was a close one - I have seen them given and we might have had a break on that one."

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson said: "I thought it was a great tie and I was pleased with my players.

"It was a really good cup tie in the second half and it was a pity that two controversial moments clouded that.

"I thought Dwight Yorke did go in high on the lad but a more capable referee might have recognised what type of player was involved and taken a different view.

"But it was a stone-wall penalty. That's your luck in cup ties and perhaps Sunderland had a little bit of luck.

"But we all enjoyed the game - it has been terrific and it has proved we have shown respect for the League Cup. The lads really enjoyed coming to a great stadium and playing in a great atmosphere."

l Leicester boss Peter Taylor has been reappointed as England caretaker coach for the friendly against Spain in February next year.

Taylor, who will again be assisted by Manchester United's Steve McClaren, has been assured that he will have the final say on team selection and tactics.

However, he will also consult with long-term successor, Sven-Goran Eriksson, with whom he has been holding ''very positive'' talks in Rome over the last 48 hours