Ferguson hails pitch perfect United

October 21, 2009

MATCHWINNER: Antonio Valencia hits the late winner

SIR Alex Ferguson had no complaints about the artificial pitch at the Luzhniki Stadium after a late Antonio Valencia goal secured victory for Manchester United against Champions League Group B opponents CSKA Moscow.

Valencia lashed the ball home after 86 minutes in Russia to give the visitors a 1-0 win and Ferguson had no issues with the controversial pitch.

“I said before the game that if you’re a good footballer you concentrate on the ball. I think they did that and they did it well,” Ferguson told Sky Sports 1.

“We wanted to go for a surge through the middle rather than in the wide positions and I think that worked quite well.

“We had some good chances at the end of the day, we improved our goalscoring chances and we’re pleased Antonio Valencia has got a good goal.”

Ferguson, who had half an eye on Sunday’s Premier League meeting with Liverpool, played down a potential injury to Brazilian teenager Fabio, as well as Rio Ferdinand and Paul Scholes, who both came off in the second half.

“Fabio was absolutely outstanding today, the boy’s magnificent for 18 years of age,” he added.

“He’s first-class, he just had some cramp, he’ll be okay.

“I took Rio and Scholesy off mainly as a precaution.”

What do you think? Have your say.

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GC Northstand (21/10/2009 at 20:10)

SAF the tactical genius, who else would have selected the team we did tonight, roll on Sunday when we will be playing on grass against plastic scoucers.

Dave-K, ex-Cheadle (21/10/2009 at 20:29)

A professional job well done — just what's needed for an away European leg. Any opinions on the CSKA Moscow 'keeper? We're looking for a VDS replacement aren't we? Just don't get too carried away over the prospects for Sunday. Yes, I think we're good enough to win, and it will taste very sweet if we do. But Liverpool won't be rolled over, no matter what team they put out. Beware banana skins.

Gilly, Belgium (21/10/2009 at 21:39)

Rest our best players of course !!! its a big game !

STEPHANINO, LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA USA (21/10/2009 at 22:11)

Well done...

Balders!, W3106, Tier2 (21/10/2009 at 22:14)

GC..... they're not plastic.......they're real ones !! ;)

Solskjaer20Legend, Epsomville (21/10/2009 at 22:48)

GC Northstand...like it!!

I thought we put in a mighty fine perfomance, was thinking we'd be quite negative but was pleasantly surprised with the outcome and performance, Well deserved.

Now bring on the Dippers!!

Allen Heald (21/10/2009 at 23:38)

Good job SAF! Good job Man U players! Play even better on Sunday and put the scoucers out of their misery. Thier season will be over and so will City's in the second half of the season. Chelsea and Tottenham will be the only competition.

nodge, goa india (22/10/2009 at 06:40)

very good euro performance,penertration from nani and valencia,the guys in the middle kept and used the ball well which made the defending easier also nev and fabio got into some great positions.that'll be a good confidence booster for sunday,iff rooney isn't fit i wouldn't mind the same set up with fletch in for scholes.

Elb Owdeep (22/10/2009 at 10:17)

the fact that numptys (so called Utd fans) on here refer to Utd as ManU just about shows there level of knowledge.

Mark, South Manchester (22/10/2009 at 11:11)

Yeah yeah yeah - United won and Fergie had no complaints about the pitch etc etc etc.
But if United had lost, it's almost certain he would have been "ranting" about the pitch being an "utter disgrace".
He's so predictable, lacks dignity and bound to change his tune and blame the trip to Russia - when United lose at Liverpool.

red john (22/10/2009 at 15:29)

a hugely underated performance by the team althiough individually a couple of under par performances. I could see a case for a very similiar team against liverpool[ try to find room for fletcher if fit; my god did i just say that and mean it!!] thought berba was excellent again keep rooney on the bench; and swap scholes for fletcher otherwise a case for keeping a\ tem that did well; although i suspect evra will get back in; records keep falling to this team in europe and at home without any real maibnd blowing performances...yet; i think they are just starting to simmer and iam genuinely excited about the season in terms of possible achievmentshaving watched barcelona and real fail misaerbly; the way is open to another fianl appearanec; in fact i fancy chelski and arsenal to join us [draw permitting!!] united in the last 4 along with inter!

Shola, Helsinki, Finland (01/11/2009 at 06:37)

i missed this match. Shame on me

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