Tuesday, 22 November 2011 22:55
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Sir Alex Ferguson: Confident United can still reach last 16 despite setback
Sir Alex Ferguson admits 'the chips are down' after Manchester United were held to a draw by Benfica but has every confidence his side can still qualify for the UEFA Champions League last 16.
United were held to a 2-2 draw at Old Trafford on Tuesday night after Pablo Aimar scored within a minute of Darren Fletcher putting the home side ahead in the second half.The result saw Benfica reach the knockout rounds, leaving the Red Devils with everything to do in their final group game in Basel.UnluckyManager Ferguson refused to criticise his side's performance and felt they were unlucky not to take three points.But the Scotsman remains assured United will finish the job in Switzerland, telling Sky Sports: "It's going to be a hard game but the chips are down for us and I've got every confidence in my team."He added: "That was very disappointing. We played so well tonight. We made a lot of good chances, played some really great football. I have no fault with my players at all. They deserve better."That's the game. It's a cruel game at times and it was cruel for us tonight."Phil Jones' own-goal in the fourth minute gifted Benfica an early lead, while David De Gea's poor clearance in the second half caused chaos in the United defence to pave the way for Aimar's equaliser.Ferguson described both moments as "freakish" and admits Jones' early error knocked United's confidence, but was pleased by how they recovered."(It was) a bit freakish to be honest with you - an own goal and then a bad kick out from David De Gea," he said."I think we had to get into a rhythm and a tempo. We had a bad start."It was a goal after three or four minutes. It does take the steam out of you, it takes the wind from your sails a little bit."Once they went to the game they played really well and they should have maybe been two or three up at half-time."I think it was very unfortunate we didn't win that game."InjuriesFerguson refused to blame United's failure to clinch three points on the injuries in his squad, with Wayne Rooney and Tom Cleverley among the absentees."We were missing a few players. There were a few injuries tonight," he added."But the squad I've got I have no complaints about. That's why we've got the squad. They proved themselves tonight and they did really well."Read more http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11095/7326378/
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