Boss Defends Selection

Sir Alex defended his team selection against Rangers on Tuesday night, insisting the players he sent onto the pitch were good enough to win the game.

The boss made 10 changes to the team that drew 3-3 at Goodison Park on Saturday but against the Scottish champions his side struggled to break down a stubborn five-man defence.

"I played a strong team," he told Sky Sports. "People forget that seven or eight of them played against Chelsea in the Community Shield. It’s a terrific squad of players we have and I had no problem playing them. They should have won the game."

Indeed, five players in the starting XI – Tomasz Kuszczak, Wes Brown, Rio Ferdinand, Darren Fletcher and Wayne Rooney – possess Champions League winners' medals, while Ji-sung Park has vast experience in the competition and Antonio Valencia was, behind Rooney, arguably United's best player last term. Of those who began the game against Rangers, only Chris Smalling and Fabio were not full internationals.

The problem, Sir Alex says, was not his selection but Rangers' dogged defending.

"We played with great commitment and a good intensity – the players all worked their socks off – but Rangers went back to their penalty box. That’s what they did and it was successful. They have a formula for playing away from home that’s successful.

"You have to give them credit – their system of playing was very difficult to break down."

The manager did acknowledge his side's lack of threat in front of goal, though, admitting the Reds "didn't make any great chances".

"All the attempts were from outside the box, from Darron Gibson, and there was one half chance for Darren Fletcher in the second half," he said. "Our first corner was after about 70 minutes. You have to give credit to Rangers – they’ve done their job well.

"I always say you need 10 points to qualify [for the Champions League knockout stage] and obviously our home record over the years has been very good. Tonight, that was a blemish. We have a target – we need nine points now from five games."