Alex Ferguson told MUTV: "Harry and Jim Smith have just come here too late. If they'd had a full season with their own players, I think they'd be in a far safer position. I think Southampton were probably in a spiralling way down and it needed a big influx of players to save Harry and Jim. But with their experience and knowledge, they will bring them back to the Premiership, no doubt about it."
Ferguson went on to express his delight that Bryan Robson masterminded a rescue act at West Brom.
"I'm delighted for Bryan. He had some great experience at Middlesbrough but maybe stayed too long. Now he's at West Brom; a club he knows and is close to his heart; I think he can transform that club."
"I thought the form of West Brom was the best of the four of them, I thought they played some great football at times and, if they'd have scored more goals, they would have been in a more comfortable position. I'm pleased for Bryan. He learned from his experiences at Middlesbrough. He did a great job but stayed too long."