FERGIE PROUD AFTER A ‘FOOTBALL NIGHT'
“What a game - it was a football night. We missed some
chances but produced some fantastic football - I'm proud of
the players.
chances but produced some fantastic football - I'm proud of
the players.
“It was a pleasure to take part in a game of that nature. We
had the best referee (Italy's Pierluigi Collina) and the
best game in Europe this season. Both teams produced
football of incredible imagination that people will talk
about for a long time to come.”
had the best referee (Italy's Pierluigi Collina) and the
best game in Europe this season. Both teams produced
football of incredible imagination that people will talk
about for a long time to come.”
Before the game Ferguson said that we would have to keep
Real from scoring:
Real from scoring:
“My pre-match prediction is now a bit uncomfortable for me.
I knew that we would have a marvellous chance if we kept
them out as we could always score goals, but we couldn't
manage it. They had a goal threat and that was the key to
it. To come back from going behind and to win the match was
essential for us. We also showed that we have several
players in attacking positions with terrific ability.
I knew that we would have a marvellous chance if we kept
them out as we could always score goals, but we couldn't
manage it. They had a goal threat and that was the key to
it. To come back from going behind and to win the match was
essential for us. We also showed that we have several
players in attacking positions with terrific ability.
“I said before the key was to keep them out and we couldn't
do that. But the chances we had - we put on a terrific show
but it was a pity we couldn't get that one early when their
goalkeeper stopped the shot from Juan Sebastian Veron.”
do that. But the chances we had - we put on a terrific show
but it was a pity we couldn't get that one early when their
goalkeeper stopped the shot from Juan Sebastian Veron.”
Fergie gave his reasons for leaving out Beckham:
“I had to face the fact that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer had been
in fantastic form in that position. The temptation is to
make him a substitute as you know that he can come on and
change games. But he has progressed and his form has been
fantastic. Only so many times can you hit a guy over the
head like that by leaving him out.
in fantastic form in that position. The temptation is to
make him a substitute as you know that he can come on and
change games. But he has progressed and his form has been
fantastic. Only so many times can you hit a guy over the
head like that by leaving him out.
“He had three or four great attempts on goal and he provided
a real threat for us, which is what he has been doing. I
don't regard him as a substitute any more - he deserved his
place.
“So I couldn't leave him out, even though David Beckham is a
great player too. He came on when Seba started to tire,
which was always going to happen. He scored and worked and
very hard. It is what I expect from David because he is a
very good player."
Fergie even had time to have a pop at our favourite gobby ex-
Scouser:
a real threat for us, which is what he has been doing. I
don't regard him as a substitute any more - he deserved his
place.
“So I couldn't leave him out, even though David Beckham is a
great player too. He came on when Seba started to tire,
which was always going to happen. He scored and worked and
very hard. It is what I expect from David because he is a
very good player."
Fergie even had time to have a pop at our favourite gobby ex-
Scouser:
“I didn't expect to see McManaman. I had many possible
formations in my mind but none of them included him. Maybe
it was down to the fact that it was Manchester United and he
has played here before many times. I can't find any other
reason.”
formations in my mind but none of them included him. Maybe
it was down to the fact that it was Manchester United and he
has played here before many times. I can't find any other
reason.”