Boss Wanted Bigger Win

After a vital, pulsating victory over Liverpool at Old Trafford, Sir Alex Ferguson could only lament his side's inability to rack up a more emphatic scoreline.

Wayne Rooney's early second-half double made the difference for the champions, who dominated the game but were left hanging on for the result after Luis Suarez's late consolation goal.

"I thought it was a great performance by us, I’m disappointed it has ended up 2-1, to be honest with you," the manager told Sky Sports. "Maybe we did tend to just try to play out the game and keep possession, and not really threaten the way we did before we got the goals.

"I think my heart’s still out there! It was nervy in the sense that you’re playing Liverpool, they’ve come back from 2-0 down to 2-1, and you know football: anything can happen. You only need a second to lose a goal or score a goal so that was a worrying period, but we got through it.

"That’s the only fault I can find in the players, because right the way through the team we played some fantastic football. Really, really good football today."

Rooney took the plaudits - and Sky's man of the match award - for his match-winning contribution, and Sir Alex was keen to pay tribute to both his strikers.

"I thought Danny Welbeck was terrific, particularly in the first half," he said. "Scholesy was unlucky with his header, the goalkeeper had a good save. I thought we were well on top of the game, it’s just getting that goal.

"Of course, Wayne scored and then two minutes later he’s scored another one which was a great start to the second half for us."