Moyes fielded a strong starting XI for the fourth-round clash at Goodison Park on Wednesday, but in extra time Toffees winger Royston Drenthe was sent off before Daniel Sturridge's goal secured a 2-1 win for the visitors. Drenthe is now suspended for the Premier League home match against Manchester United at noon on Saturday, and Everton will also be without captain Phil Neville, substituted at half-time in the Chelsea game with a hamstring problem, and Tim Cahill, who completed the full 120 minutes but was carrying an injury. Many managers have put out weakened sides in the cup competition and Moyes concedes that he took a gamble which did not pay off. "We took a chance by playing a strong side against Chelsea, to try to get through in the cup," Moyes said. "I thought that game was the important one at the time and we wanted to do it, but you are always running the risk of losing players through injury." On Drenthe's ban, Moyes said: "That is another reason (it is a risk) - you put people out and they get booked or sent off. "That is maybe why when it comes to Premier League managers, they see the league as being the most important thing and sometimes the games in the League Cup come second to it. "We didn't and went out with a strong team, but it has sort of backfired on me because I've had somebody sent off and a few injuries from it." The build-up to the game may have been far from ideal for Everton, but neither has it been the easiest week for United. The Red Devils comfortably overcame Aldershot 3-0 in the Carling Cup on Tuesday to book their place in the quarter finals, but it will have done little to ease their sense of humiliation after the 6-1 loss to derby rivals Manchester City at Old Trafford last Sunday. Moyes' team won 3-1 at Fulham the same day and although acknowledging the United hammering was a shock, the 48-year-old stressed he is far more concerned about his own players. "I was more interested in our result than that one," Moyes said. "It doesn't happen very often and that is why you are all very surprised by it. "Manchester United have been incredibly consistent and reliable in their results most of the time, so it was a shock." Asked how United might respond after the City defeat, Moyes said: "I don't know. We lost in midweek, so I'm more interested in how we respond to our defeat. "We also had a good win against Fulham in the league last week, so I want to build on that. "All I know is that Manchester United have got some really good players, they are the champions at this present time and it will be a tough task for us." United striker Wayne Rooney is set for a typically hostile reception from Everton fans as he returns once again to the club he left for the Red Devils in 2004. Moyes feels such a reaction from the home crowd is "inevitable", but emphasised that Rooney remains a Toffees fan. "I'm sure it is probably inevitable, but Wayne would be the first one to tell you - he would be delighted to come back with his wee boy and watch Everton," Moyes said. "He is bringing up his son as an Everton supporter and he will always be an Evertonian. "He'll get criticism because he left the club but time has moved on, we've moved on and so has he."
