Ferguson stands by Anfield remarks

Alex Ferguson has warned his Manchester United players to heed the lesson of Saturday’s defeat at arch-rivals Liverpool.

Ferguson accused United of defending like a Conference side at Anfield, when they suffered a deserved loss despite taking a third-minute lead through Carlos Tevez.

The Scot’s stinging criticism may have hurt his players deeply.

However, he is not worried if they were surprised. Ferguson is more concerned about avoiding a repeat.

“The players should not be surprised about what I said,” said Ferguson.

“It was a bad team performance.

“In most cases players know when they have had an off day. That was one of them.

“The fact is while Liverpool were the better team I could not actually see them scoring.

“But we gave them two gifts. The warning sign is there. If you are going to compete at the top level, you have to compete just as hard as Liverpool did on Saturday.”

The one reason Ferguson could find for such a lamentable display was United’s early goal, which led the Red Devils chief to believe his men slipped into the comfort zone against opponents they have beaten in five out of their previous six visits to Anfield.

Even with Michael Carrick and, almost certainly, record signing Dimitar Berbatov missing tomorrow, he will want to get straight back to winning form when United open their Champions League defence against Villarreal at Old Trafford.

The Yellow Submarine famously helped sink United’s European aspirations at the group stage three years ago, while fellow Group E rivals Celtic scored an excellent win over Ferguson’s men at Parkhead 12 months later, acting as a further warning of the perils that lie ahead.

Danish outfit Aalborg appear to be on the journey for little more than an enjoyable ride, leaving Ferguson to confirm his theory that qualification will boil down to two from three.

“Manuel Pellegrini is in his fifth season at Villarreal, which is a long time in Spain,” reflected Ferguson.

“In that time they have been second twice and will be a very difficult team to beat, while Celtic’s home record is as good as anyone’s in Europe.

“We are certainly not taking any chances and I will stick to what I always say. Give me 10 points and I will see you in February.”

Having gained his second Champions League success in Moscow last May, Ferguson knows he will equal Bob Paisley’s record of three triumphs in European football’s most prestigious competition if United can become the first team to successfully defend the trophy since the Champions League format was introduced in 1992.

However, of more interest to the Scot is taking United’s overall tally to four, moving them alongside European giants Bayern Munich and Ajax and just one adrift of Liverpool.

“Personal goals do not come into it at all,” said Ferguson.

“But I have said often enough that we should have won the European Cup more often and I hope we can win it again.

“That would take us to four and would be a far more acceptable record in Europe.

“That is the challenge and would create a bit more history for our club.”