United we stand! Fergie hails his side after Liverpool win
Posted Monday, January 14, 2013 by The Sun
ALEX THE GREAT ... Fergie hailed his United side after overcoming Liverpool
ALEX FERGUSON praised ‘magnificent’ Manchester United as they maintained their seven-point lead at the top of the table.
The Red Devils made it nine wins out their last 10 Prem games with a 2-1 victory over Liverpool at Old Trafford.
And boss Ferguson was delighted with his players as they stayed ahead of the noisy neighbours, who won at Arsenal.
He said: “The first-half performance and up until we scored the second goal we were absolutely magnificent.
“It was as good a performance as we have had for a long time.”
United went 2-0 up through Robin van Persie and Nemanja Vidic before a late Liverpool fightback.
Fergie added: “We would have taken that score before the game but when they got a goal they got inspired, their crowd got going and it was hard after that.
“I’m just glad to win the match.
“Manchester United-Liverpool games are a fantastic challenge between two of the most successful teams in the country and today’s three points were very important ones.”
Van Persie hit his 21st goal of the season, putting the home side ahead after 19 minutes as he finished off a slick move.
Ferguson said: “It was a great build-up, terrific football and a great finish.”
Van Persie nearly had a second right on half-time with a clever flick with his instep which was blocked on the line by Martin Skrtel before Shinji Kagawa collided with Kop keeper Pepe Reina.
Ferguson said: “We should have been three or four up — and we should have had a penalty when Shinji was brought down but Howard Webb wasn’t going to give us that today.
“But it was an engrossing game, as you expect from a Manchester United-Liverpool game, full of emotion, intensity — and it’s great to win them.”
The man of the match champagne on TV went to Danny Welbeck for his incredible workrate on the day.
Ferguson said: “He was fantastic. He gave their two centre-backs a real hard day of it, he and Robin van Persie.
“He put in a great workshift. He ran his legs off and deserved to be the man of the match.”
United let their opponents back into the game on 57 minutes when Liverpool’s new signing Daniel Sturridge notched his second goal in two games after keeper David De Gea parried a Steven Gerrard shot.
Ferguson said: “It looked a bit soft. Once again the goalie has parried one out and nobody has followed in the rebound.
“It lifted them. After that our defending was erratic and desperate at times but we managed to get through it.
“There was about three or four minutes where they were shoving players into the penalty box and we had to defend well. We got through that.”
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers said he was proud of his team despite the defeat — and he believes they should have got a point from the game.
Rodgers said: “We deserved something. I am proud of the fight of the team in the second half having gone 2-0 down.Teams who come here often crumble.
“We went 2-0 behind but after that our efficiency in the game was much better.”
Having said that, Liverpool are still to beat anyone in the current top 10.
But Rodgers added: “We have been close in a number of the games against the guys at the top but that’s the next step for us.
“To win those games can set your journey off in a different direction.”
Rodgers was happy with Sturridge, who came on at half-time and clicked with Luis Suarez straight away.
Rodgers said: “I just think this is a boy who can be a real top striker and he will be scoring many goals for Liverpool.
“You have seen from a half appearance today and 55 minutes last weekend that this boy is a goalscorer and what he needed was an opportunity.
“I think everyone can see the partnership in the second half.
“It is the first time this season we’ve had our goalscorers on the field in terms of Sturridge, Borini and Suarez.
“It gives us great hope. We know in terms of the points we are 24 behind — but we are not 24 points behind in quality.
“Once we close the gap in the squad over the coming transfer windows we will be able to challenge. I have seen enough hope in these opening months that we will do that.
“We have great hope for the future. It will be a long journey but it is about getting those wins against our rivals and then we can gain confidence.”
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