Fergie praise as Reds overcome after early setback

MANCHESTER United boss Sir Alex Ferguson was upbeat in his assessment of his team's display against Benfica — despite seeing them held to a 2–2 draw in their Champions League Group C clash at Old Trafford.

The Portuguese visitors took a shock lead in the fourth minute through Phil Jones' own goal, but United equalised on the half–hour when Dimitar Berbatov headed in Nani's centre.

Darren Fletcher put the hosts in front 14 minutes after the break, only for Pablo Aimar to draw things level again seconds later, leaving Ferguson's men needing a point from their trip to Basle next month to qualify for the last 16. Their chances of winning the group are now looking slim.

But the Scot felt his side deserved more for their efforts. "I think we did well," Ferguson said. "It is hard when you lose a goal straight away in a match and it took us a bit to get our rhythm going again, but once we did we played really well. We didn't deserve what happened tonight, but football can be like that.”

Benfica's second goal came when United goalkeeper David de Gea's poor clearance fell to Bruno Cesar, whose cross bounced off Rio Ferdinand and was converted from close range by Aimar.

Ferguson refused to criticise De Gea – or Jones for diverting in the opener – and was keen to praise Berbatov, who scored his first Champions League goal in three years but also missed a good late chance to make it 3–2 when he volleyed over the bar. Berbatov replaced Wayne Rooney, whose hip problem makes him a doubt for the visit of Newcastle on Saturday.