Alex Ferguson refused to be drawn into a debate about Manchester United’s tactics following their important 2-1 victory over Benfica in the Champions League group game at Old Trafford last night.
The long-serving United manager, without eight injured or suspended first team players, saw his team go top of Group D with goals from Ryan Giggs and, five minutes from time, a scrambled winner from Ruud van Nistelrooy.
With rivals Lille and Villarreal drawing 0-0 in France at the same time, Ferguson could feel hugely satisfied by events.
But, after facing criticism from supporters following Saturday’s shock 2-1 home defeat by Blackburn Rovers over the club’s tactical and team selection, Ferguson refused to explain himself.
”We did exactly the same thing on Saturday as we did tonight and no, I am not going to explain myself,” said Ferguson.
”You have your own ideas on the game, carry on. I don’t want to blunt your imagination.”
Not even the manager’s bitter outburst could dull a satisfactory evening for the Premiership side who had to respond after a spectacular equalising goal from Simao early in the second half.
Ferguson picked out veteran Giggs, who has yet to start a league game for the club this season but captained the Reds against Benfica on his 100th European outing, for special praise.
”Ryan got off to a bad start this season, he was out for three weeks with a chest infection when the team was playing well,” said Ferguson.
”But I thought experience was going to be important tonight, especially with so many experienced players out, and I think Ryan proved that.”
Ultimately, with the game heading towards a draw — which would possibly have been a fair return for the adventurous Portuguese visitors — the incredible van Nistelrooy settled the game with his 43rd goal on his 50th Champions League appearance.
”You are always hoping those sort of chances fall to Ruud because his record in European football speaks volumes for the man, that was his 43rd goal in Europe,” said Ferguson.
”I thought tonight he gave a great centre-forward display and I’m delighted he got the goal because the more he scores the more confident he becomes and he’s in a great vein of scoring at the moment.
”We recovered well after losing the goal to them. For a few moments there was a bit of anxiety among the players but once the game got settled down again there was only one team going to win it and that was us.
”It was a good result for us in France tonight, the draw was a perfect result.
”Villarreal, along with Benfica, are the team I worried most about in terms of qualification and now they have got to go head to head. If we do our jobs properly we have a good chance of qualifying.”
For Benfica manager Ronald Koeman, the result in Lille also offered him some consolation after his side conceded the late goal.
”That result is good for us,” said the Dutch legend.
”The next two matches will decide our position in the group and I am optimistic about it.
”We knew Manchester United were not in the best form at the moment and we came to attack and played very well. We had a few opportunities but football is like this sometimes, the result isn’t just about who plays well.
”We deserved a draw tonight but you don’t always get the result you deserve or want.
”In football a lot of games are decided at the end of a match and we didn’t pay enough attention to the corner kick at the end of the game. It’s a pity because I thought a draw would have been a fairer result.” – Sapa-AFP