Leeds boss Garry Monk lays the plaudits on Cambridge United after FA Cup tie

Praise is heaped on U's by Championship side's boss

Garry Monk has tipped Cambridge United to be a force in Sky Bet League Two for the remainder of the season.

The Leeds United manager saw his side have to dig deep to score two second-half goals to overcome the U’s 2-1 in the FA Cup, third round at the Cambs Glass Stadium on Monday night.

Despite being one of the in-form sides in the Championship, Leeds were given a run for their money by Shaun Derry’s men.

And the Leeds boss was quick to praise their opponents after the match.

“It was a really difficult game for us,” said Monk. “We knew that, we expected it.

“They started really well – as we expected – they were a handful. Shaun’s got them in a really good way, they’re winning games so we knew they were going to be confident and the pitch, the way it was we knew it was going to be very difficult and we were going to be dragged into that fight.

“They started, especially in that first half, really, really well. We didn’t help ourselves in the sense of we were trying to play our football, which is good, but we were bringing pressure on ourselves, trying to play too much football around our own box. It wasn’t the pitch to do that and it was inviting pressure.

“We spoke at half time about the same principles but just making sure we did it higher up the pitch.

“We tried to do it in the opposition half and we had much more control and much more front foot, which we wanted.

“We ended up controlling the game, scoring good goals at the right times, and that’s what it’s about in these type of ties; it’s taking your chances when they come and we managed to do it.”

He added: “Like I said, Shaun’s got them in a really good way, and all credit to Cambridge. I thought the crowd as well was magnificent for them and they’re going to do very well in their league, for sure.”