RIO – WE WERE UNLUCKY AGAINST CHELSEA

Last updated : 18 August 2004 By editor

Ferdinand told MUTV that he thought United deserved something from the match on Sunday, "I think Chelsea were a bit lucky to get three points. I think most people in the stadium, if they were being honest, would have said a draw was a fair result.

“Sitting in the changing rooms at the end of the match, you could tell that we were disappointed not to get something out of the game. We were the team that took the game to them. Chelsea sat and defended, especially after they got their goal. But maybe we didn't ask as many questions of them as we should have done. Fair enough to them, they defended well.

"I thought we were the brighter team, especially when Scholes started passing the ball about. But Chelsea got their goal and defended very well; that seemed to be the story of the game.”

Rio also had praise for Alan Smith, who he feels has settled in well at United, "Smithy has come in and pleased everyone all throughout the summer. He is a great player and he will do well for this club. It may have been a bit easier if a few of the other strikers were fit and playing alongside him, but it's also good to have him in the side because of those injuries.

"The lads here make it very easy for you to settle in. They're a great bunch of lads. He's not big-headed. He just came in and took his place in the changing room and got on with it. The players respect that and appreciate it.

"He's completely different off the pitch to what he is like on it. People have this image of him as this thug or a bit of a tear away, but he's nothing like that off the pitch. In the changing room he's probably one of the quietest players in there."