Ferguson insist no setback
|
Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson insists there's no shame for his team after yesterday's disappointing 1-1 draw at Reading.
The result means the Red Devils have now dropped five of their last six points following last Sunday's 1-0 home defeat by Arsenal.
But Ferguson insisted: "Last Sunday was a disappointing performance but not today."
Reading took the lead early in the second half through Kevin Doyle's penalty before Cristiano Ronaldo netted a fine solo equaliser with 16 minutes remaining.
The penalty award had been against Gary Neville, with the England defender having been adjudged to have used an arm as a cross from the right bounced in the box.
Ferguson said: "I haven't seen it so I couldn't judge but it was a big decision."
Wayne Rooney again failed to hit the net but his manager was prepared to defend his performance.
He said: "You have got to remember that was only his sixth game in six months."
The result pleased Royals boss Steve Coppell, the former Manchester United winger who masterminded the club's rise to the top-flight for the first time in its history.
He said: "We had nothing to lose from today. I was thinking before the game that whatever happens we couldn't lose and to get a point is a small gift as well so we have got to be pleased with it.
"But I have said to the players we don't want the highlight of our season to be a Saturday evening in September. We have got a long way to go and we can't pat ourselves on the back."
Coppell admitted he had even been a little disappointed by the result.
He said: "Having got our noses in front it looked as if it was going to be one of those days where we might have nicked all three.
"At the end of it we will probably wake up tomorrow morning and think it was a good point but it was also a good opportunity to have gone on.
"They are obviously a fabulous footballing outfit with tremendous individuals and we had stifled them very well - to a certain extent at a cost to ourselves.
"It looked a stalemate for periods, the penalty gave us impetus and the goal certainly gave them impetus."
The result means the Red Devils have now dropped five of their last six points following last Sunday's 1-0 home defeat by Arsenal.
But Ferguson insisted: "Last Sunday was a disappointing performance but not today."
Reading took the lead early in the second half through Kevin Doyle's penalty before Cristiano Ronaldo netted a fine solo equaliser with 16 minutes remaining.
The penalty award had been against Gary Neville, with the England defender having been adjudged to have used an arm as a cross from the right bounced in the box.
Ferguson said: "I haven't seen it so I couldn't judge but it was a big decision."
Wayne Rooney again failed to hit the net but his manager was prepared to defend his performance.
He said: "You have got to remember that was only his sixth game in six months."
The result pleased Royals boss Steve Coppell, the former Manchester United winger who masterminded the club's rise to the top-flight for the first time in its history.
He said: "We had nothing to lose from today. I was thinking before the game that whatever happens we couldn't lose and to get a point is a small gift as well so we have got to be pleased with it.
"But I have said to the players we don't want the highlight of our season to be a Saturday evening in September. We have got a long way to go and we can't pat ourselves on the back."
Coppell admitted he had even been a little disappointed by the result.
He said: "Having got our noses in front it looked as if it was going to be one of those days where we might have nicked all three.
"At the end of it we will probably wake up tomorrow morning and think it was a good point but it was also a good opportunity to have gone on.
"They are obviously a fabulous footballing outfit with tremendous individuals and we had stifled them very well - to a certain extent at a cost to ourselves.
"It looked a stalemate for periods, the penalty gave us impetus and the goal certainly gave them impetus."
<< Home