Sir Alex Ferguson admitted Liverpool deserved to win the game at Anfield because United failed to cope with their physical approach.
In a subdued post-match interview, the United boss accepted the Reds were second best and was unhappy with the way his side conceded both goals in the 2-1 defeat.
“My overall view of the match is that Liverpool were the far better team,” the manager told MUTV.
“They tackled us, got about us and harassed us, forcing us to make mistakes, and we didn’t cope with that well. That was the source of our defeat.”
Carlos Tevez gave United a dream start when he converted debutant Dimitar Berbatov’s cross in the third minute, and for 20 minutes United’s recent stranglehold over the Merseysiders looked set to continue.
ourselves," continued Sir Alex.
“But the two goals we lost were absolute shockers; the defending was very, very poor. People will think they are watching a Conference side when they see the highlights.
“Apart from Rio Ferdinand, we did not have one good performance on the pitch. We were out-thought.”
Nemanja Vidic was sent off late on for a second bookable offence after a physical aerial challenge on Alonso and will miss next weekend’s tough trip to Chelsea.
“I’ve seen it and he led with his elbow,” Sir Alex admitted. “But [Jamie] Carragher and [Martin] Skrtel used their elbows in every aerial challenge in the game and there were no fouls given against them.
“We had three players booked and one sent off and I don’t think that’s a reflection of United being a dirty team.”
The Reds' boss will be demanding an immediate response as United look to end Chelsea’s long unbeaten record at Stamford Bridge next weekend.
“It’s going to be difficult but they are all difficult games away from home,” he added. “And if we don’t address the physical part of the game then we’ll struggle there too.”
But Edwin van der Sar gifted Rafael Benitez's side an equaliser when he failed to deal with Xabi Alonso's deflected shot and the ball rebounded off Wes Brown into the net.
And substitute Ryan Babel delivered the killer blow in the second half after Ryan Giggs failed to deal with a ball on the by-line and was dispossessed by Dirk Kuyt.
“We started excellently with a wonderful ball from Berbatov to Tevez to put us in front, and at that point I thought we were going to establish
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Saturday, September 13, 2008
Liverpool Vs. Manchester United Highlights Video Clip
Liverpool [1 - 1] Manchester United (English Premiere League)
3' [0 - 1] C.A. Tevez
26' [1 - 1] W. Brown (o.g.)
77' [2 - 1] R. Babel
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3' [0 - 1] C.A. Tevez
26' [1 - 1] W. Brown (o.g.)
77' [2 - 1] R. Babel
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Thursday, September 11, 2008
Scholes rues disruptions
Paul Scholes says the recent World Cup qualifiers make the outcome of Saturday's lunchtime encounter at Anfield even more unpredictable.
Scholesy has been among only a handful of players training at United’s Carrington headquarters this week as most Reds headed off to aid their country’s bid to reach the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
"There have been four or five of us training and that does disrupt it massively - especially when we have an early kick-off on Saturday," Scholes told MUTV.
"We (the whole group) will get an hour of training probably on Friday. Sometimes it helps and sometimes it doesn't. We will just have to wait and see on Saturday.”
Fortunately, Liverpool are in the same situation. "It’s the same for every team. Liverpool will have a lot of players out; Chelsea will have every player out as well. These are historically tough games and whenever you play them it isn't any different. You need to play these games at some stage during the season."
The 33-year-old will be as vital as ever when United take on Liverpool on Saturday, and he says the influx of youthful midfielders at Old Trafford has allowed him to focus on the passing game that still sets him apart from his Premier League peers.
"It’s good having the youngsters in because they can do all the running for you,” he joked. “You can just sit and pass the ball to them and off they go.
"You try to give a little bit of advice to them, but not too much,” he adds. “They don't need much talking to. I just say to them to do exactly what has got them here. The manager has seen something in them that has got them to this stage, so why stop that?”
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Scholesy has been among only a handful of players training at United’s Carrington headquarters this week as most Reds headed off to aid their country’s bid to reach the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
"There have been four or five of us training and that does disrupt it massively - especially when we have an early kick-off on Saturday," Scholes told MUTV.
"We (the whole group) will get an hour of training probably on Friday. Sometimes it helps and sometimes it doesn't. We will just have to wait and see on Saturday.”
Fortunately, Liverpool are in the same situation. "It’s the same for every team. Liverpool will have a lot of players out; Chelsea will have every player out as well. These are historically tough games and whenever you play them it isn't any different. You need to play these games at some stage during the season."
The 33-year-old will be as vital as ever when United take on Liverpool on Saturday, and he says the influx of youthful midfielders at Old Trafford has allowed him to focus on the passing game that still sets him apart from his Premier League peers.
"It’s good having the youngsters in because they can do all the running for you,” he joked. “You can just sit and pass the ball to them and off they go.
"You try to give a little bit of advice to them, but not too much,” he adds. “They don't need much talking to. I just say to them to do exactly what has got them here. The manager has seen something in them that has got them to this stage, so why stop that?”
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Rene relishing new role
Rene Meulensteen is relishing his new role as first team coach at Old Trafford and is grateful to Sir Alex Ferguson for the opportunity.
The Dutch coach succeeded Mike Phelan, who was promoted to assistant manager, last week following the summer departure of Carlos Queiroz.
Meulensteen joined the Reds in 2001 as Technical Skills Development Officer, before being promoted to Reserve Team manager in 2005.
His impact was immediately evident, with United's second string putting together some stunning football en route to a treble of FA Premier Reserve League Shield, the Premier Reserve League North and the Manchester Senior Cup.
After a brief stint managing Brondby for the first half of the 2006/07 season, he returned to Old Trafford to work with the first team and was eventually handed his new role.
"It's nice that Sir Alex has seen what I can do over the years with my approach and ideas about football that can add something to a club like Manchester United," he told Voetbal International. "That gives me a lot of satisfaction.
"The collaboration with Mike Phelan is excellent and Sir Alex has also noticed that. He did not need to bring someone else in from outside. In this way, the stability and continuity within the organisation is also guaranteed.
"I am now involved with everything around the first team in an intensive way. I think actively about the tactics, the team selection and have my share in the discussions."
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The Dutch coach succeeded Mike Phelan, who was promoted to assistant manager, last week following the summer departure of Carlos Queiroz.
Meulensteen joined the Reds in 2001 as Technical Skills Development Officer, before being promoted to Reserve Team manager in 2005.
His impact was immediately evident, with United's second string putting together some stunning football en route to a treble of FA Premier Reserve League Shield, the Premier Reserve League North and the Manchester Senior Cup.
After a brief stint managing Brondby for the first half of the 2006/07 season, he returned to Old Trafford to work with the first team and was eventually handed his new role.
"It's nice that Sir Alex has seen what I can do over the years with my approach and ideas about football that can add something to a club like Manchester United," he told Voetbal International. "That gives me a lot of satisfaction.
"The collaboration with Mike Phelan is excellent and Sir Alex has also noticed that. He did not need to bring someone else in from outside. In this way, the stability and continuity within the organisation is also guaranteed.
"I am now involved with everything around the first team in an intensive way. I think actively about the tactics, the team selection and have my share in the discussions."
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