Moyes Pleased With Point

David Moyes praised his Manchester United team for a resolute display after the Reds' 1-1 draw in Donetsk, a notoriously tough place to visit in the Champions League.

After Danny Welbeck had put United into the lead, Moyes hoped his side's rigid backline, spearheaded by Nemanja Vidic, would be rewarded with a clean sheet, despite the pressure exerted on them by a lively Shakhtar. It wasn't to be, but the manager was still proud of the performance, saying: "I thought we were going to stop them scoring this evening as we defended really well.

"We got a goal early doors and fashioned a couple of other opportunities. Robin (van Persie) was a bit unlucky not to get a second goal and I think if that had gone in we’d have seen it [a victory] out easily.”

“The result is just a point, it doesn’t take us any further just now and we know that we will have to win more games to progress in the competition. But on paper this looked like a hard away tie so we’ve picked up a good point.”

With the home side enjoying the lions' share of possession, Moyes felt that his senior professionals were pivotal in ensuring that United were largely able to stem the oncoming tide of Shakhtar pressure.

“I knew they were going to be very important to me as these are the boys that have seen it and done it, they’ve played in finals and semi-finals," said the boss. "I thought they played well tonight, they did a good job."

He also singled out Ryan Giggs, who made his 145th Champions League appearance from the bench. The Welshman has now played more times than any other player in Europe’s most prestigious competition.

“It was fantastic. He knew that he was going to come off the bench to do it, but what an achievement and what a player."