Mixed feelings for Ferguson

November 03, 2009

LATE STRIKE: Antonio Valencia hits the shot that was deflected in for United's equaliser

MANCHESTER United manager Sir Alex Ferguson hailed his side's battling qualities after the 3-3 draw with CSKA Moscow - but blasted referee Olegario Benquerenca for not awarding his side a penalty in the Champions League Group B match at Old Trafford.

The draw was enough to take United through to the last 16 but Ferguson was far from happy not to get a spot kick when Darren Fletcher appeared to be tripped in the area, the Scottish midfielder instead being booked for diving.

Ferguson said of the decision not to award a penalty: "I can't believe it. I can't believe the decision. It's one of the worst I've seen in my lifetime."

Michael Owen (29) had equalised for Untied before the visitors went 3-1 up. Paul Scholes netted with six minutes to go and Antonio Valencia's shot in added time was deflected in.

A breathless Ferguson added on Sky Sports 2: "I need 10 minutes to think about that. Their goalkeeper made some fantastic saves.

"I thought the intensity of our play, and particularly in the last 25 minutes, was terrific."

CSKA went ahead through Alan Dzagoev before Michael Owen levelled. Goals from Milos Krasic and Vasili Berezutsky put CSKA ahead before Paul Scholes pulled one back for the Reds. In injury time, Antonio Valencia's deflected shot found the net, and it will go down as a Georgi Schennikov own goal.

What do you think? Have your say.

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moorz, Dublin (03/11/2009 at 22:19)

That keeper done his reputation no harm at all, extect to see him at Old Trafford before long!

tripone, canada (03/11/2009 at 22:39)

The keeper was good, but he made the type of saves that i think Foster could do, so I am not sure about him, The one that got away was Shay Given, too bad.

danny, WILMSLOW (03/11/2009 at 22:43)

Ferguson said of the decision not to award a penalty: "I can't believe it. I can't believe the decision. It's one of the worst I've seen in my lifetime."If you believe that you would believe anything its as bad as I would not sell them a virus it would have been a very soft penalty but he went down well.

WesBrown6, Raaholt, Norway (03/11/2009 at 22:56)

Actually a great game that we would have won easy if it hadn't been for the 3 personal fouls that led to the goals: Van Der Sar (same mistake as he made against lfc, allowing the striker to score from a dead angle), Fletcher??? (not sure who it was that the ball through) Fabio (ballwatching). They scored 2 goals on the one real chance they had in the first half (second goal). Also it was a horrific decision by the ref not to give the penalty. Nani wasn't too bad until they scored the 1-2 goal (but then again that took the air out of most of the United players in the 1st half. For Akinfeev: well he's a good goalie no doubt about that, but today United made him look good, seeing as most of the shots that he actually saved was straight at him.

Free Red, Manchester (03/11/2009 at 23:03)

He doesn't get much luck Darren Fletcher when it comes to UEFA competitions does he. He was unfairly banned from the cup final last season and now gets a yellow card for diving when he should have got a pen. It will be interesting to see what UEFA make of this one.

keithmat (03/11/2009 at 23:27)

Looked a definate penalty that's for sure, can we appeal the booking at least?
Didn't undertsand SAF's subbing especially taking off Macheda immediately after hitting the post! Maybe he'll get sold to Villareal I seem to remember that happenning to Rossi. Hit the post you're gone!!

Unite against the UAF (04/11/2009 at 00:25)

I hope that Ferguson experiences many more times where the referee's decision goes against his team, just or unjust, what comes around, goes around.

trured, canada (04/11/2009 at 00:54)

goodbye Neville, pension time !!!!
Overall 6/10..........
there weren't to many good passes, and yes sir alec, the ref was not up to scratch......lets say man u got away with one at 3-3...

Red-Brit-in-It (04/11/2009 at 08:09)

"I thought the intensity of our play, and particularly in the last 25 minutes, was terrific."
It was - not in defence though, with the honourable exception of Johnny Evans. Do fans still believe that Wes is a good central defender? I think he's a great right back. Talking about full backs are we sure that the Brazilians are better than Eckersley who we let go to Burnley? It's not being overcritical to say that United are not playing well, just realistic. We got out of jail for the fourth time this season. Perhaps a couple of solid experienced players in the January window could make a big difference.

Gilly, Belgium (04/11/2009 at 08:47)

The Russian is a good keeper !

Bob the Baker, Preston (04/11/2009 at 09:06)

If he plays from the start tonight, then Im predicting a hat trick in a comprehensive 4-0 win...then the scousers get knocked out tomorrow...now wouldnt that really rile them!!
neal 07, south stand lower
3/11/2009 at 15:08

A hat trick for Limpalot.....hahahaha! A hat trick of fluffs more like. Now you know why he had to hawk himself to PL clubs & nobody else wanted him.

Red Wun (04/11/2009 at 09:37)

Wonder what would happen if we started all our games the way we finished off last nights match... with that kind of singular focus i.e. put ball in back of net.... put ball in back of net.... put ball in back of net.

United 18, Huddersfield Town 3, City 2 (League Titles), Wilmslow (04/11/2009 at 09:56)

Bob the Baker, Preston
4/11/2009 at 09:06

Owen = FREE
Tevez = £30 Million

Now then, who's missed more games due to injury this season? Answer - Tevez.

Who's scored more goals this season? Answer - Owen.

tick tock.....and OWEN BANGS IT IN THE BITTER BLUE NET...tick tock

Bob the Baker, Preston (04/11/2009 at 10:49)

United 18, Huddersfield Town 3

Now correct me if I'm wrong,but Limpalot has got exactly the same amount of PL goals this season as Carlos (2).Also,they both have 2 goals in cup competitions,so honours even there methinks.

Hows the debt going? Tick tock,tick tock.Oh,and....Fergie,Fergie sign him up!

IS IT REALLY 33 YEARS, TAMESIDE (04/11/2009 at 11:09)

WE WERE LUCKY AGAIN LAST NIGHT - FERGUSSON HAS TO GO!

neal 07, south stand lower (04/11/2009 at 12:08)

Bob the Baker,Preston...

Whay are you doing commenting on a Champions League match? In fairness its not as though you have experience of watching your own club from the council estate in it!!! But a typical rag having to resort to watching the citys real team play in it!!

Oh yeah what do you make of Maicons comments? When he heard that your lot had joined the race to get him? He sid, is this a joke, why would I give up chasing for titles, playing Champions League to go earn more money?!!!

Enough said!!

C.T.I.D., Eastlands (04/11/2009 at 12:46)

Does this sad old man ever stop moaning.

Bob the Baker, Preston (04/11/2009 at 12:52)

I was commenting on your 'finger in the air' prediction on the match.Well,if you can't take the criticism,then don't leave yourself exposed! Your proposition that if Owen played,then he would score a hat-trick was based on what? He would have to almost double his tally in one game!

Bob the Baker, Preston (04/11/2009 at 13:13)

NEAL From Way Down South. And nobody has EVER turned United down have they? Ronaldo went to a bigger club.Tevez turned his back on you to move to Manchester.Frank Ribery? Villa? The list goes on.The BIG difference is that WE can afford them!!!!!!!!! Doesn't it hurt? Admit it!

Tick tock, tick tock - it's only a dream and you know it, The Real World (04/11/2009 at 13:30)

Does this sad old man ever stop MOANING.
Bitter.T.I.D., Eastlands

I think you mean winning, Bertie.

neal 07, south stand lower (04/11/2009 at 15:24)

Bob the baker, Preston

I dont recall any quotes from the likes of Ribery, Villa etc saying that joining Manchesters only club, as we are known in europe would be a joke for their careers...where as Maicon has directly said that about your lot!!!

Wow you have money, yippee, well done, give yourself a pat on the back...remember the likes of RBS etc all had money and look at the state of them!! fact is we will always appeal to billionaires, we are a world wide club and that is never going to change!! Just like your lot winning nothing season after season...34 years here it comes!!

Cyprus Red, Cyprus (04/11/2009 at 15:24)

Danny the only virus on here is you. You are just a pathetic wind up merchant that nobody takes seriously anymore.

There's Only One Keano, Baltimore, USA (04/11/2009 at 18:00)

Can we have Bob the Builder and Slow Danny sanctioned for violations of the Mental Health Act? Both are clearly delusional, and I still can't tell which one claims to be a United supporter...

C.T.I.D., Eastlands (04/11/2009 at 18:12)

Does this sad old man ever stop MOANING. Bitter.T.I.D., Eastlands

I think you mean winning, Bertie.
Tick tock, tick tock - it's only a dream and you know it, The Real World
4/11/2009 at 13:30

I dont mean winning thick tock or I would have put that.
I meant one sad, old moaning pathetic little bully.

Ardwick green 1976, Manchester (04/11/2009 at 18:56)

stick to making doughnuts,and lemon puffs Bob the bitter bertie ,and dont comment on things you know absolutely zero about,Champions league football .Of course you may have been at the Fenerbache
match in 1969 ,terrifying Europe .Join the list of berties tick tock clowns.

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