SIR Alex Ferguson and Javier Irureta formed a mutual appreciation society after last night's game, both revelling in a great game of football.
Fergie was disappointed with the ''two bad errors'' which cost his enterprising Manchester United side the game, but said: ''The quality of that game tonight made it more palatable.''
And Deportivo coach Irureta had as much praise for the Reds as for his own team, who had just pulled off a win he described as ''historic''.
'Open football'
''Two teams came to play open, attacking football, both went for goals from the word 'go' and both came to win,'' he said.
''We have qualified now and now have to concentrate on finishing top of the group, but I hope Manchester join us in qualifying.
''It was a huge battle, taking on the likes of Beckham, Veron, Scholes and Giggs but all our guys did really well in that area.
''Manchester play the ball around and it is tough to keep up with them my players are all worn out. But I have congratulated each and every one - to score three goals at Old Trafford is a great achievement.
''It was a great day for Deportivo, perhaps only matched by the time we won at Barcelona last season for the first time in our history.''
'Bad errors'
Fergie also took a step back from his disappointment: ''It was a fantastic game of football but, unfortunately in these situations, sometimes someone has to lose.
''We have made a couple of bad errors - sometimes even the best players can do these things. It's unfortunate.
''As normal, we make things difficult for ourselves, and next week's game against Olympiakos has to be won.''
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