Boss Pleased With Lively Workout

Sir Alex Ferguson said the thorough test posed by the Kaizer Chiefs in Saturday’s pre-season friendly was exactly the workout his players needed.

Chris Eagles’s second-half header earned the Reds a draw in a lively Vodacom Challenge opener in which an energetic Chiefs side more than played their part.

Sir Alex told MUTV: “It was very competitive, particularly in the second half – they are a very good side and there were a few tasty tackles. But that’s the kind of game we need.

“We said we wanted to get the tempo and rhythm in our game, and it’s only through these games that we’re going to achieve that. We scored a well-worked goal, and we should have won from there, but I’m satisfied.”

Ferguson praised Eagles, whose first-team chances at Old Trafford have been limited and who has recently been linked with a move to Burnley.

“Chris has a lot of ability, which is important at our club, and he’s still young,” the Reds boss said. “He’s maturing and we’ll see how he does in the rest of the tournament.”

Michael Carrick missed the game, Rio Ferdinand and Mikael Silvestre were late withdrawals and Wes Brown came off with 20 minutes left, but Ferguson is not worried about them.

He said: “Wes got a gash above his ankle, but he’ll be OK. Michael has a slight niggle, Rio had a back spasm and Silvestre fell on his groin, so it wasn’t worth risking them."