Sir Alex Hails Effort

Sir Alex Ferguson had mixed feelings at Stamford Bridge after Manchester United's 3-3 thriller with Chelsea.

On the one hand, the manager was rightly delighted with the shift his players put in to salvage a draw from the jaws of defeat - but he believed the Reds should have beaten the Blues after being much the better team.

"I think it’s two dropped points because we played so well," said Sir Alex. "Apart from a period of ten minutes after half-time when we got off to a terrible start and lost two goals, I thought we were the far better team.

"It's not easy coming back from three-nil down and it was a massive effort from our players. It was a great game for the neutral watching. It was fantastic and Chelsea played a great part in it too. Although I thought we were the better team, Chelsea made it an interesting game for anyone watching the match. And I was pleased with my players."

Players who particularly pleased Sir Alex included Wayne Rooney, who despatched two penalties to pull United back into the game. "Wayne has been doing a lot of practice since he missed his last penalty kick (against Bolton) and I think it’s paid off. Our two penalties in the second half were justified and we could have had four penalties awarded in the game."

The boss also heralded the impact made by substitute Javier 'Chicharito' Hernandez, who popped up to net United's equaliser from "a great cross by Ryan Giggs."

"To be honest, I maybe should have played Chicharito from the start," admitted Sir Alex. "When he came on, he just had them on toast really. He really put them under pressure with his movement and positional play. Danny Welbeck has been terrific and he’s going to be a top player. But when Chicharito came on in the second half, it was a different game."

As for the other end of the pitch, when asked about the performance of his goalkeeper David De Gea, the boss responded: "I think the save from the free-kick [taken by Juan Mata in injury time] was unbelievable. It was going right in the top corner. He made two or three other saves, including a good one in the first half.

"Yes, he’s played his part, no question about that. I’m pleased, because we see the talent in the boy. We’re going to trust that talent. Eventually in three or four years’ time, we’re going to see all that.

"At the moment, yes, he’s made one or two mistakes, the introduction to English football has been different for him. It’s not what he’s used to in Spain. But today he’s shown he’s prepared to get in amongst it, he’s got in a couple of punches and he’s done a great job today.”

Sir Alex was speaking to Sky Sports.