Wednesday, March 16, 2011

MANCHESTER UNITED KE QUATER - FINAL (CHAMPION LEAGUE)


Champions League - Ferguson hails Hernandez (HERO)






Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson hailed the performance of Javier Hernandez after the striker's brace against Marseille saw his side into the last eight of the Champions League.


The two-goal haul made it five in five appearances for the diminutive hitman, who now has 16 overall in his debut season with United.The Mexico international scored in each half as United overcame the French champions 2-1 on the night and by the same score on aggregate to reach the quarter-finals of the competition for the fifth consecutive season.


Ferguson said he is delighted with his summer signing's tally, but admitted he did not expect so much so soon from the 22-year-old.


"I think we are surprised. When we bought him we thought it would take him some time to adjust first of all," Ferguson said.


"He has adjusted to the physical part very well and he is lasting 90 minutes very well now.


"That has given us great options because we look at the main strikers as Wayne (Rooney), (Dimitar) Berbatov and Hernandez. With Hernandez's form the way it is we can make some changes now.


"Hernandez's pace and movement is helping us. He is real handful. You see the first goal, they boy's movement is fantastic.


"Wayne is enjoying the freedom behind Hernandez and is in really good form at the moment."


Ferguson was equally pleased with his team's efforts on the night, despite a scare when Wes Brown bundled the ball into his own net late on to set up a tense finale.


Ferguson said: "I am proud of the team's achievements. We have had some great experiences in the European Cup over the years.


"It is the best tournament in the world. It is the one you want to try and win again. This team's best chance is because our away form is very good. That always gives you a chance in the next stage.


"Every team has their qualities. It does not matter who you get, you have got to take it. You cannot pick your teams. At this stage you are going to get a very hard game."


Nemanja Vidic missed the game through injury and the Ferguson will now have to contend with more defensive problems after both John O'Shea and his replacement Fabio were forced off with what looked like hamstring injuries.


Ferguson said: "The balance of the team was affected with two defenders coming off. There was a lack of experience in the team and that could have cost us. But we hung on.


"They are a very powerful team and their delivery into the box was very good. They kept us under pressure a lot of times.


"When we played our football particularly in their half of the field we did okay. We always looked comfortable on the ball.


"But we just couldn't get enough of it in the second half in their half of the field. They kept us on the edge of our box a lot."


Marseille had chances of their own to register a famous result, with Andre-Pierre Gignac and Souleymane Diawaraboth wasting gilt-edged chances.


Asked if the result would have been different had his player taken those chances, OM boss Didier Deschamps said: "I am sure.


"My first feeling is one of regret. We let our chance slip and we are out.


"Manchester United are not a fantastic side and they suffered two injuries during the game. They were not at their best but we could not capitalise on that.


"But we are a young side, who are learning, and it will take time. At this level small details win you games.


"Our aim at the beginning of the season was to get to the last 16 and we have achieved that. So in a way we have done reasonably well."

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