MATCH REACTIONS

Last updated : 27 November 2003 By Editor
Sir Alex Ferguson:

“We improved in the second half in terms of penetration. We
could have scored more goals. Diego could have scored two or
three; he is always aware of chances, and his movement was
good. Concentration is the key to it, and our second-half
concentration was better. You have just got to be aware of
the counter-attack.

“The important thing is we have qualified, but it is always
a matter of pride who wins the group. It [the victory] gives
us a play-off, because whoever wins goes into the top
position.

“What's helping Diego is playing more often. He's
establishing himself and with the form he's showing it's
hard to leave him out.

“We didn't make any big mistakes. Without the major mistakes
Panathinaikos didn't get any encouragement that would have
inspired them. I like to see how the young players perform
away from home, it's a great experience for them. Central
midfield will be Darren Fletcher's best position and the
experience of playing this game will only help him in future
games. Cristiano Ronaldo is the same. We seem to forget
sometimes that he is only 18 and we have to pick and choose
when we are going to use him.

“Near the end I felt we had to go for the victory, which was
why I put David Bellion on and he was the one who changed
the game for us. Irrespective of the result tonight we knew
it would go down to the last game at home to Stuttgart.
Psychologically it's always better to win the group.”

Panathinaikos coach Itzhak Shum:

"We know what we have to do and I believe we can do it. I
thought we did well tonight but Manchester United are one of
the best teams in Europe and it is always difficult to beat
them."