"It was a disappointing result, but it did not reflect the performance in any way. We were a bit slow in the first half but in the second we had some unbelievable chances. When you are one down with ten minutes to go it is always important to take something out of the game."
Ferguson expected less from Rooney than most observers:
"Young Wayne Rooney may have been a bit tired. Tuesday was his first game for 96 days and maybe he paid the price for it. I kept him on because we wanted as many goalscorers on pitch as possible."
Ferguson paid tribute to Boro's youthful line up:
"They had young players and you have to give them credit as they had the legs to do the job. They worked hard and made it difficult for us and scored with their only real attack. It was a marvellous goal. The boy (Downing) did well to take it first time and you have to give him ten out of ten."
'Alan [Smith] did a fantastic job for us when he came on,' said Ferguson. 'He brought a bit of zip to the proceedings and scored his goal, so I have to be pleased with that. I was disappointed we didn't get more from the game when you consider how many times we got to the by-line and put crosses in but when you are 1-0 down with 10 minutes to go, you have to be satisfied with a point.'
'Once this international break is over, we have a free run until March and that gives us plenty of time to start building. We can't catch Arsenal overnight, we have to slowly accumulate the points we need. It is going to take time but we have plenty of that left.'