We are pleased for him and it's great for Manchester United to have one of our players captaining our country, the Scottish boss told MUTV. Over the years we've had Gary (Neville), Bobby Charlton and Bryan Robson for 60-odd games or...

Ferguson said: I t's great for United to have one of our players captaining his country.

Owen is alternating his training with the reserve and first-team squads, working for two days and then resting a day, the manager wrote in his program notes before United's game against Manchester City two weeks ago. It's a matter of him...

He said: We're pleased for him and it's great for Manchester United to have one of our players captaining his country. Over the years we've had Gary (Neville), Bobby Charlton and Bryan Robson for 60-odd games or something so we're very proud of...

It took us a while to get the first goal but we had a lot of pressure, a lot of possession and we were patient enough, United manager Alex Ferguson told MUTV.

Ferguson said: We are pleased for him and it's great for Manchester United to have one of our players captaining his country.

We had a lot of pressure and possession of the ball but we were patient enough, Ferguson said.

From the mistake he made, he bounced back and came back a lot better, added Ferguson.

Ferguson said: We had a lot of pressure and possession of the ball but we were patient enough. That's important when teams come and sit in the way they did here. Portsmouth were there to make it difficult but we got the goal just before half-time.

We are pleased for him and it's great for Manchester United to have one of our players captaining our country, added the Scotsman.

It took us a while to get the first goal but we had a lot of pressure, a lot of possession and we were patient enough, United manager Alex Ferguson told MUTV. I think that's important, especially when teams come and sit there, like they...

I think as far as England is concerned David Beckham is important and he will be there at the World Cup. I can't see him not being taken by Fabio because of his experience, Ferguson said.

It took us a while to get the first goal but we had a lot of pressure, a lot of possession and we were patient enough, United mananger Alex Ferguson told MUTV. I think that's important, especially when teams come and sit there, like they...

It took us a while to get the first goal, but we had a lot of pressure, a lot of possession and we were patient enough, Sir Alex told MUTV. I think that's important, especially when teams come and sit there, like they did today. They were...

Ferguson told MUTV: It was a magnificent goal, absolutely brilliant. The confidence it brought to his game after that was brilliant. It was good to take him off, because he got the applause from the crowd and it was terrific. He's had a good...

Ferguson said of Grant, When you see what's happening there, you have to feel for him. It can't be easy. How he's coping, you can only imagine. He was out of the game for a year and a half and it's an agonizing thing for football managers because...

For the first time I can remember we don't have a game on the weekend before a European game, said Ferguson.

It's great for Manchester United to have one of our players captaining England, said Ferguson. Over the years we've had Gary (Neville), Bobby Charlton and Bryan Robson for 60-odd games or something so we're very proud of that.

With Aston Villa next up on Wednesday, Ferguson said: He is in great form. It was a great opportunity for us to give him a rest in the second half. We had fresh players to come on like Mame Diouf and Michael Owen.

The performance of the team was very good and Rooney is in great form at the moment, said Ferguson. We could have rested him, it seemed like a good opportunity because we have other players who are fit and fresh. Mame Biram Diouf is ready...

Ferguson added, however, that Rooney would be the first to point out that to a certain extent he is only as good as those playing around him.

It took us a while to get the first goal, but we had a lot of pressure, a lot of possession and we were patient enough, Ferguson told MUTV. I think that's important, especially when teams come and sit there, like they did today. They were...

It's great for Manchester United to have one of our players captaining England, said Ferguson.

Ferguson said: It took us a while to get going but we were patient. Teams come here to make it difficult but after the second goal it opened it up for us and we've gone to win well. Rooney is in great form - it was a great opportunity to take him...

Ferguson said: We are pleased for him and it's great for Manchester United to have one of our players captaining his country. Over the years we've had Gary, Bobby Charlton and Bryan Robson for 60-odd games or something so we're very proud of that.

It took us a while to get the first goal, but we had a lot of pressure, a lot of possession and we were patient enough, Ferguson said. I think that's important, especially when teams come and sit there, like they did today. They were there...

With Aston Villa next up on Wednesday, Ferguson said: He is in great form. It was a great opportunity for us to give him a rest. We had fresh players to come on like Mame Diouf and Michael Owen.

Chelsea could go back to the top on Sunday when they face Arsenal but Ferguson added: I don't know if I'll watch it or not because I am going up to Glasgow - but I'll be thinking about it.

We had a lot of pressure and possession of the ball but we were patient enough. That's important when teams come and sit in the way they did here, Ferguson said. We were a bit fortunate with the second goal but nonetheless you have to take...

He said: We are pleased for him and it's great for Manchester United to have one of our players captaining England. Over the years we've had Gary Neville, Bobby Charlton and Bryan Robson for 60-odd games or something so we're very proud of that.

Ferguson said: We are pleased for him and it's great for Manchester United to have one of our players captaining our country. Over the years we've had Gary, Bobby Charlton and Bryan Robson for 60-odd games or something so we're very proud of that.

Ferguson said of Rooney: He is in great form. It was a great opportunity for us to give him a rest. We had fresh players to come on like Mame Diouf and Michael Owen.

Chelsea could go back to the top when they face Arsenal but Ferguson added: I don't know if I'll watch it or not because I am going up to Glasgow - but I'll be thinking about it.

We are pleased for him and it's great for Manchester United to have one of our players captaining the country, United manager Alex Ferguson said Saturday. Over the years we've had Gary (Neville), Bobby Charlton and Bryan Robson for 60-odd...

I had forgotten Chelsea were playing, he commented. I thought they were playing on Wednesday. I was coming home and heard it was 1-1, so that was a surprise for me.

The Reds welcome bottom-of-the-table Portsmouth to Old Trafford for a game Sir Alex described as one we have to win.

Historically, we have always grasped the nettle at this time of the year, Ferguson said. The players realise there is something at stake and we can't afford inconsistency. Teams will drop points in every run-in, but we are experienced and...

Historically we have always grasped the nettle at this time of the year, said Ferguson. They realise there is something at stake and we cannot afford inconsistency. I have said repeatedly in the run-in, teams will drop points. There is no...

Ferguson said: It was a massive game against Arsenal last week. We were in great form and it was a very good performance. Hopefully this is kick-on time. Each game towards the finishing tape becomes more important. It doesn't matter who it...