Fulham's assistant manager Steve Kean, who has stepped up from assistant boss during the illness which has left Chris Coleman in hospital, revealed Ferguson's decision to rest a string of stars gave the Londoners the belief they could shock United again.
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| Fulham's assistant manager Steve Kean |
The Cottagers won 3-1 at Old Trafford in October and Kean disclosed Ferguson's decision to leave key men out gave Fulham a boost before both games.
"We were four men out on what we thought their team would be," said Kean.
"I didn't think Roy Carroll would play, I thought Giggs and van Nistelrooy would and that they wouldn't have Roy Keane at the back.
"It gave us a lift when we heard their team, as it did when we saw their side at Old Trafford.
"We said to the lads 'stick to the game plan and we've got a good chance today'."
Kean claimed Fulham were 'disappointed' they did not claim victory after building up a head of steam as full-time neared.
"I thought we could have nicked it at the end as we had the momentum," he said.
Kean revealed Coleman was due to leave hospital next week.
"I rang the hospital just after the game and spoke to the head nurse as Chris must be resting," he said.
"He'll probably have followed the game on the telly.
"I spoke to him this morning and he's improving all the time. We hope he'll be out on Monday or Tuesday next week."
Of the possible penalty Kean said: "Edwin definitely pulled his hands away.
"His momentum took him forward onto his front foot and Louis was waiting for the contact."
United's Manager Sir Alex Ferguson admitted Manchester United face an uphill fight to cling onto their Barclaycard Premiership crown after his decision to rest star players backfired dramatically at Fulham.
United slumped to a 1-1 draw at Loftus Road which leaves them nine points adrift of leaders Arsenal with just 11 games to go.
The Red Devils are now third, behind Chelsea on goal difference, after one of Ferguson's worst weeks of the season.
Ferguson said: "It's an uphill fight, no question of that. We know that and I think everybody else knows that.
"But we're capable of winning matches and could go on a run of victories, which is what we need."
Only a sensational finale to the season by United, combined with a disastrous run-in for the Gunners, will prevent the top-flight silverware leaving Old Trafford for Highbury.
After Edwin van der Sar appeared to bundle over Saha Ferguson fumed: "It's time match officials earn their money. If they're not doing their job, they shouldn't be out there, frankly.
"This is the new dawn in football with professional referees but that's very questionable.
"There's no confidence given to managers that they're doing their job.
"It sometimes happens that, when you're not having a good run, you don't get the breaks. Maybe they'll come our way in a few weeks."
Ferguson also revealed Saha was suffering a niggling injury.
"Louis' has been terrific and the more I see of him, the more pleased I am.
"He's actually carrying this little calf and heel injury he had at Fulham and we're gingerly looking after him as we don't want it to get any worse."