MATCH REACTIONS

Last updated : 12 February 2004 By Editor
Steve McClaren:

“We showed tremendous resolve to come back again at 2-2 after we
had been two goals in front. At times we rode our luck and
we had to survive a lot of pressure but you need to do that
every time you play against one of the big clubs. Before the
game I told my team they needed to play with attitude, they
had to pass the ball well and they needed to defend well. We
did all three brilliantly tonight.

“There is still a long way to go and there will be a few slip-ups
yet. Manchester United have the experience to handle the
pressure when it really counts. There is no-one better in
that situation and I wouldn't write them off just yet."

Fergie:

“We can't keep conceding soft goals like we did tonight. There was
a slackness about our defending and sometimes we are trying
to run the ball out of defence or pass our way out when we
should be putting our foot through the ball to clear it.

"We have been in this situation before but it is not a healthy one
to be in and we have to do something about it. It is not a
quirk of fate to be conceding so many goals from situations
like that. We are giving the opposition too much room and
that is very disappointing.”

Ryan Giggs:

“Defending is a team effort. In the last few games we have let
goals in and we have definitely got to do something about
it.

"If we can get a solid foundation, this team will always
create chances and score goals. We need to start defending
better and get on a good run again.''