Ferguson hails United focus

Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson praised his side’s concentration after a 1-0 victory over Manchester City in this afternoon’s derby at Eastlands.

Wayne Rooney tapped home from close range after Joe Hart parried a Michael Carrick shot to score the winner three minutes before the break.

United had to play 22 minutes of the second half with 10 men after Cristiano Ronaldo was dismissed for a needless handball, and Ferguson felt it was his side’s mental strength that got them through.

“Today the focus was very good,” Ferguson told Sky Sports News.

“In some away games this season our second-half performance has been disappointing. We threw the game away at Liverpool and threw three points away at Everton.

“Last week our game dropped against Aston Villa and I think that was down to focus and our focus was great today.”

It had been suggested that City’s newfound riches could lead to an end to United’s dominance between the two rivals, but Ferguson said his side had nothing to prove.

“That’s not an issue. We didn’t have to prove anything here today,” he said.

“We needed three points today. We are behind Liverpool and Chelsea. We are chasing them and we needed to win the game today to get ourselves near them.

“We have had a significant result today and I hope it makes a difference.”

When asked about Ronaldo’s dismissal, the United boss said: “I have seen it again and I think he was trying to protect his face.

“He may have got a little shove. He thought he had heard a whistle but I am not going to talk about the referee. We could be here all day.”