After a sensational weekend of FA Cup action Portsmouth, the only Premier League side remaining, are the new favourites to lift the trophy. Click here for the latest betting!

Manchester United assistant manager Carlos Queiroz has apologised to Martin Taylor for suggesting the Birmingham defender was a thug.

Queiroz referred to Taylor during his tirade against referee Martin Atkinson and Portsmouth’s Lassana Diarra following Saturday’s 1-0 FA Cup defeat.

Queiroz has now apologised to Taylor – but not to Atkinson or Diarra.

Queiroz said: “I am deeply sorry if my comments, made when emotions were running high after the Portsmouth game, were misconstrued.

“Everyone at Manchester United knows that Martin Taylor is not that type of player.

“All I sought to say was that in the modern game, because of its speed, we need to have more vigilance on mistimed tackles. I apologise for any upset my remarks may have caused.”

Queiroz had accused Diarra of attacking Cristiano Ronaldo, and berated the referee for failing to protect the Portuguese winger.

“That’s why the Taylors of this game can survive and some of the best players are out of the game. It cannot happen any more,” Queiroz said on Saturday.

The Football Association is looking at the post-match comments of both Queiroz and manager Sir Alex Ferguson, and disciplinary charges could follow.

After a sensational weekend of FA Cup action Portsmouth, the only Premier League side remaining, are the new favourites to lift the trophy. Click here for the latest betting!