He showed sacrifice, intelligence and discipline and we needed that against Pirlo who is a very good player for them, Ferguson said.

It was a marvellous second-half performance, Sir Alex Ferguson, the United manager, said. I think we got a break with the early goal in the second half. After that we played very, very well. When we play at that tempo, we're difficult to...

It's a challenge, United manager Sir Alex Ferguson said. I was happy with him getting to the 30 mark, to be honest, but he just keeps improving and tonight he was sensational.

We got the break with the early goal in the second half and after that we played very well. When we play at that tempo we are difficult to play against. With the team I've got it dosn't matter who we play next, said United manager Alex Ferguson.

We got the break with the early goal in the second half and after that we played very well. When we play at that tempo we are difficult to play against. With the team I've got it doesn't matter who we play next, said United manager Alex Ferguson.

It was a marvellous second half performance, said the United manager Sir Alex Ferguson. We got the break with the early goal in the second half and obviously we'd effectively put out Milan and after that we played very very well. When we...

It's a challenge, United manager Sir Alex Ferguson told ITV. I was happy with him getting to the 30 mark, to be honest. But he just keeps improving and tonight he was sensational.

It was an impressive night for us, United manager Alex Ferguson said. When we play at that tempo, we're difficult to play against and it was a really solid performance.

He spoke highly of him and said: He's a great professional, he's never missed a training session, his performances in training have been very good, and I think he has improved as a footballer in his time here. His general knowledge of the game is...

Ferguson said: He'll be out for four to six weeks. I hope to get him back for some of the season.

Getting married into that entertainment scene was a difficult thing, from that moment his life was never going to be the same, Ferguson said of his former charge during a question and answer session in Glasgow in 2007. He is such a big...

It would be a great end to my career, said Ferguson, who had planned to retire at the end of the 2001-02 season.

Macheda started light training this week, Ferguson said. He has had a long-term injury which has been disappointing for us because he is such a great talent. But he should be back in the football side within two weeks.

We're not far away from having Owen Hargreaves back and [Kiko] Macheda has now started training, confirmed Ferguson. That's a bonus because he can score a goal which could be important without Michael Owen for the rest of the season.

Macheda started light training this week, said Ferguson. He has had a long-term injury which has been disappointing for us because he is such a great talent. But he should be back in the football side within two weeks.

But Ferguson added: I don't think Ronaldo's departure has had anything to do with Wayne's form. The credit must go to Wayne for his development as a player and his rise in the game. I just wish we had the two of them here.

David hasn't started a game since we met in Milan and I don't know if he'll start tomorrow, said Ferguson. But the one thing you have to be aware of with David is his crossing and set-piece delivery, which is fantastic. There are a lot of...

I don't think we are very good at defending leads, so we will play our normal game, said Sir Alex. That includes attacking, it always has. We will try to do it in our normal way. We hope to kill the tie with our own attacking abilities. We...

Sir Alex Ferguson believes the situation is a concern having been involved in a similar incident in 2005, and the fact that security has been breached will be of real concern to the FA, as is the thought that Fabio Capello's tactical plans and...

Speaking about reports of a protest delaying the kick-off on Wednesday night, Ferguson added: They won't do that, it is too important a game.

Sir Alex said: I am finding it difficult to pick their team, but I don't know whether Beckham will start. I have not got that down in my conclusions about their team. He has not started a game since the first leg, so it is difficult to say what...

The fans won't do that, Ferguson said of the rumoured protests. It is too important a game. Old Trafford will be rocking and I am sure whether they are wearing the traditional red and white or the protest green and gold scarves the...

The fans won't do that, he said.It is too important a game. Old Trafford will be rocking and I am sure whether they are wearing the traditional red and white or the protest green and gold scarves the supporters will be united and speaking...

I don't think we are very good at defending leads to be honest with you. The demands of the game include attacking and always have. We will try to do it in our normal way. I don't think we should be confused by leading 3-2. It does not represent a...

He said: It was a worry that Wayne's injury prevented him playing on Saturday. You looked at him on Friday and I didn't think he had any chance of playing against Milan. But he has progressed and he plays and, on his form at the moment, he would be...

It is difficult to say what effect David will have on the tie because we don't know whether he is going to start, but the one thing with him that you have to be aware of is his delivery of the ball, it's fantastic, Ferguson said.

I don't think we are very good at defending leads, to be honest, Ferguson said. The nature of our club is that we have to have a positive attitude. When we went 3-1 ahead in Milan, for instance, it would have been easy to shut up shop but...

The fans won't do that, said Ferguson of the rumoured protests. It is too important a game. Old Trafford will be rocking and I am sure whether they are wearing the traditional red and white or the protest green and gold scarves the...

Our fans are not like that, Ferguson said. It is far too important a game for that. I'm sure that, whether they are wearing the traditional red and white or the protest green and gold scarves, they will be united and speaking with one...

Sir Alex Ferguson, Manager of Manchester United, said, His form at the moment I'm sure that, no matter which game he was going into, he'd be an absolute threat to anyone. That's what he provides tomorrow, he provides that threat for us, in that...

United manager Ferguson said: It is difficult to say what effect David Beckham will have on the tie because we don't know for certain whether he is going to start. He has not started a game since the last time he played us in the first leg. But the...

Boss Sir Alex Ferguson said: I looked at Rooney last Friday and I didn't think he had any chance. He missed Wolves on Saturday, but he has progressed and he plays. On his form at the moment, he would be a threat to anyone.

On his current form, he would be a threat to anyone, Ferguson said, knowing that a United goal tonight is his best insurance against the 2-0 or 3-1 win that would take Milan through.

It was a big thing for us to win in Milan, said Ferguson. It was the first time in four attempts that we had done it. I was delighted with it because, historically, we were playing against one of the best European teams of all time....

I looked at him on Friday and didn't think he had any chance, Ferguson reported. But he has progressed and he plays and, on this form, he would be a threat to anyone. That is what he will provide for us: a real threat up front.

Ferguson said: I can understand Milan feeling confident. They got that second goal towards the end and that will give them encouragement. We would have preferred not to have lost a goal because otherwise the tie would have been very difficult for...

Over the last 15 years, Milan have been incredibly successful in keeping older players going, men like [Paolo] Maldini and [Alessandro] Costacurta who played until they were approaching their forties. People might look on the age of the squad as a...

Sir Alex said: It happened to us once before. I would be concerned about it. You have to be. Preparation involves discretion and secrecy. I haven't revealed one bit of my tactics ahead of the match tomorrow.

That is why it was a big thing for us to win the first leg in Milan, Ferguson said yesterday. I was delighted with it because, historically, we were playing against one of the best European teams of all time. Without doubt, it was a...

It is difficult to say what effect David will have on the tie because we don't know whether he is going to start, but the one thing with him that you have to be aware of is his delivery of the ball, it's fantastic, Ferguson said. I think...

We had that before, Ferguson said. You have to be concerned. Preparation involves discretion and secrecy. I haven't revealed one bit of my tactics ahead of the match [against AC Milan on Wednesday]. I haven't been asked. And do you know...

Ferguson said: We have had that before and you have to be concerned. I think that preparation involves discretion and secrecy. I haven't revealed one bit of my tactics (before tonight's game against AC Milan) and I've not been asked about them. You...

It happened to us once before, Ferguson, speaking on Tuesday ahead of United's Champions League last 16 second leg clash against AC Milan, said. I would be concerned about it. You have to be. Preparation involves discretion and secrecy. I...

That was a landmark victory for us and it was a psychological thing winning there, Ferguson said. European football is one of a changing nature every year and the challenge to me seems to get different because it's a varied tournament in...

Sir Alex Ferguson said Manchester United FC are not very good at defending leads and will therefore go on the offensive as they protect a 3-2 advantage against AC Milan at Old Trafford.

The fans won't do that, said Ferguson. It is too important a game. Old Trafford will be rocking and I am sure whether they are wearing the traditional red and white or the protest green and gold scarves, the supporters will be united and...

I don't think we are very good at defending leads, Ferguson said. We shouldn't be confused by the score of 3-2 being a bye in the next stage. We have got to accept this is a very difficult game for us tomorrow and one we need to win.

He added: He has not started a game since the first leg, so it is difficult to say what impact he will have on the game. But he will be there and the one thing you have to be aware of is his delivery of the ball, which is fantastic. That is the...

He is fit, I am glad to say that he is fit. He has showed a rapid improvement since Saturday morning. He was extremely doubtful, but he is OK, said Ferguson at a Sky News press conference, according to a report in the Sporting Life.

I think David's strength has always been his crossing, and set pieces of course, Ferguson said. That does not change, it's been his strength all his career. Will he play tomorrow? You tell me. I am finding it very hard to pick their team...

United manager Sir Alex Ferguson said Tuesday that Brown should be fit in four to six weeks and we hope to get him back for some of the season.

It's just unfortunate, United manager Sir Alex Ferguson said Tuesday. He has had a career blighted by injury and they've all been long ones, and now he has another. He'll be out for four to six weeks. I hope to get him back for some of the...

The fans won't do that, Ferguson said. It is too important a game. Old Trafford will be rocking and I am sure whether they are wearing the traditional red and white or the protest green and gold scarves, the supporters will be united and...

I don't think we're very good at defending leads, Ferguson said. We'll play our normal game and that includes attacking. It always has. We will try to do it our normal way and we shouldn't be confused that 3-2 is a passage to the next...

I am finding it difficult to pick their team but I don't know whether Beckham will start, said Ferguson. I have not got that down in my conclusions about their team. He has not started a game since the first leg, so it is difficult to say...

Preparation involves discretion and secrecy, Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson said Tuesday. Capello may have been discussing important issues about the team then all of a sudden someone else has got them. So it's a concern.

It was a worry with Rooney, said Ferguson of his 28-goal front-man. Looking at him last Friday I didn't think he had any chance. But he has progressed and he plays and we are pleased at that because given his form at the moment I am sure...

United manager Sir Alex Ferguson said there had been a a rapid improvement with the injury.

It was a worry. His injury prevented him playing on Saturday and on Friday I didn't think he had any chance but he's progressing. He has made a rapid improvement from Saturday, Ferguson told a news conference ahead of the last 16 game.

He's fit and I'm glad to say it, Ferguson said. He showed a rapid improvement from Saturday morning. I didn't give him a chance of being fit. In his form at the moment he's a threat to anyone.

He is fit, I am glad to say that he is fit, Ferguson told Sky Sports News. He has showed a rapid improvement since Saturday morning. He was extremely doubtful, but he is OK.

United manager Alex Ferguson said there had been a a rapid improvement with the injury.

It's unfortunate that he's had a career that's been blighted with injury, Ferguson told a press conference on Tuesday. Long term injuries, unfortunately for the lad, and he's got another one and he'll be out for four to six weeks. I hope...

However, with nine games remaining in the Premier League, as well as the ongoing Champions League campaign, Ferguson added: We hope to get him back for some of the season.

Ferguson told a press conference: He is fit, I am glad to say that he is fit. He has showed a rapid improvement since Saturday morning. He was extremely doubtful, but he is OK.

It's just unfortunate, the United manager said. He [Brown] has had a career blighted by injury and they've all been long ones, and now he has another. He'll be out for four to six weeks. I hope to get him back for some of the season.

He is fit, Ferguson said of Rooney. There is a rapid improvement from Saturday morning because on Friday evening I didn't think he had any chance. It's good news. He is a threat to anyone at the moment.

Preparation involves discretion and secrecy, United manager Alex Ferguson said Tuesday. Capello may have been discussing important issues about the team then all of a sudden someone else has got them. So it's a concern.

Ferguson said a press conference: He is fit, I am glad to say that he is fit. He has showed a rapid improvement since Saturday morning. He was extremely doubtful, but he is OK.

Ferguson told Sky Sports News: Unfortunately he's had a career that's been blighted with injury, and all long-term injuries unfortunately for the lad. He's got another one and he'll be out for four to six weeks. I hope that we can get him back for...

Unfortunately, his career has been blighted with injury. He has got another one and will be out for four to six weeks but I hope I can get him back for some of the season, Ferguson added.

Ferguson told a press conference televised by Sky Sports News: He is fit, I am glad to say that he is fit. He has showed a rapid improvement since Saturday morning. He was extremely doubtful, but he is OK.

United manager Alex Ferguson said Tuesday that Brown should be fit in four to six weeks and we hope to get him back for some of the season.

He's fit and I'm glad to say it, United manager Alex Ferguson said. He showed a rapid improvement from Saturday morning.

United's manager, Sir Alex Ferguson, said after Saturday's victory over Wolves, which the striker missed, that Rooney was a big doubt for tomorrow's game after aggravating a knee injury on England duty last week.

Manager Sir Alex Ferguson said after Saturday's victory over Wolves, which the striker missed, that Rooney was a big doubt for Wednesday's game after aggravating a knee injury on England duty last week.

Manager Sir Alex Ferguson said after Saturday's victory over Wolves, which the striker missed, that Rooney was a big doubt for the Milan game after aggravating a knee injury on England duty last week.

Unfortunately it's more serious than we thought, Ferguson said. It's a terrible blow for the lad and disappointing news for us too. He has never missed a training session all season. I think the heavy pitch at Wembley on Sunday made some...

Wayne is very doubtful for Wednesday, Sir Alex said. The Wembley pitch has killed him.

It's one of these bad bits of luck you get - the Wembley pitch has just killed him, said manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

We have to make sure we understand the qualities of these players like [Alexandre] Pato, Ronaldinho and Borriello and look to make sure we can control that, Ferguson said. Of course, we will want to have our own attacking instincts to make...

He's a one-off in terms of the modern type of fragile player we're getting today, cocooned by their agents, mothers and fathers, psychologists, welfare officers, Ferguson said. Rooney's a cut to the old days.

He's a doubt for Wednesday, which is a bigger problem for us, said Ferguson.

Of course Valencia has played fewer games at United than those two Old Trafford heroes, but Sir Alex Ferguson said: Valencia knows he is at the right club. He has developed and improved all the time.

Ferguson, who it is understood could consider legal action, said: It's absolute rubbish. Not an ounce of truth in it, the Daily Express reports.

Macheda starts training with the first team again next week which is also good news, particularly considering the loss of Michael, said Ferguson on Friday. He is a good player to have back. So we have had some disappointments with some,...

Wayne is very doubtful for Wednesday, Ferguson said. The Wembley pitch has killed him.

The Scot added: Gary still has plenty to offer and I think we could probably get another year out of him. He is a great professional.

When asked about the claims, Ferguson said: It's absolute rubbish. Not an ounce of truth in it.

Asked about Wayne Rooney's fitness for the Champions League tie at home to Milan on Wednesday, Sir Alex Ferguson said: The Wembley pitch has killed him, conjuring visions of the not-so-hallowed turf's triffids doing away with England's World...

As Sir Alex said in response to constant queries, What's Owen's problem at Old Trafford? He only has one - Wayne Rooney.

It's one of these bad bits of luck you get -- the Wembley pitch has just killed him, said manager Alex Ferguson.

Rooney is very doubtful for the Milan game unfortunately, said manager Alex Ferguson. It's one of these bad bits of luck you get. The Wembley pitch (in England's 3-1 victory over Egypt on Wednesday) has just killed him. I was pleased with...

Asked about Wayne Rooney's fitness for the Champions League tie at home to Milan on Wednesday, Alex Ferguson said: The Wembley pitch has killed him, conjuring visions of the not-so-hallowed turf's triffids doing away with England's World Cup...

It's absolute rubbish, said Fergie. Not an ounce of truth in it.

AS Alex Ferguson said: When an Italian says it's pasta, I check under the sauce to make sure.