Fergie: we’ve got a lot to work on

ALEX FERGUSON welcomed his side’s 2-1 win over Boca Juniors in Munich yesterday but admitted he saw plenty of room for improvement in his side.

Anderson and Antonio Valencia both scored their first goals for the Red Devils in a strong first-half performance but, as United tired in the second half, Boca reduced the arrears and had several good chances to level.

And Ferguson acknowledged his side had been slightly fortunate to get away with the win.

“I am satisfied with winning, which is always the main aim, but I didn’t think we played particularly well,” he said.

“Maybe it’s a realisation that we are coming into a better standard of football after being in the Far East where the games were obviously not as competitive as today.

“But hopefully it brings us on. Boca were the better team in the second half and probably deserved something out of the game.”

Summer signing Valencia made his debut for United in front of 61,000 fans in Munich’s Allianz Arena and, after a slow start, he showed glimpses of why Ferguson chose him as the man to replace Cristiano Ronaldo.

And the United manager predicted a bright future for the 23-year-old.

“I think he will figure in many games,” said the Scot.

“It was his first game today. He missed pre-season because he had to go back to Ecuador for a work permit so therefore, for his first game, we are very satisfied.

“He is a good athlete, has good power and running ability, as we saw today the way he created a good goal.

“Maybe it was a mistake by the keeper, but he created the opportunity and opened up spaces for himself.”

It took Valencia only 42 minutes of his debut to find the back of the net for the first time.

His goalscoring record for Wigan read seven goals in 83 games, but Ferguson believes this is something he can and will improve for United.

“We know his record at Wigan it is not good in terms of goals,” added Ferguson. “He knows that too, but when we assess the individual parts of his game, his athleticism and the power in his shooting, then why should he not score more goals?

“Maybe the way we play will give him more opportunities to score so we expect more goals from him.”

The only sour note for United was the sight of Wes Brown limping off after 35 minutes, but Ferguson insisted he was only removed as a precaution.

“He felt a little pull on his thigh and there is no point carrying on in a pre-season game,” he said.

United return to the Allianz Arena today for the final against either Bayern Munich today.