Soccer

Ferguson acknowledges wake up call

Soccer: Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson acknowledged the 3-3 draw against Basel in the Champions League was ‘a wake…

Wed Sept 28 2011 - 01:00

Soccer:Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson acknowledged the 3-3 draw against Basel in the Champions League was 'a wake-up call.' United led 2-0 with a brace from Danny Welbeck but fell 3-2 down and needed Ashley Young's header to earn a point, their second in as many Group C games.

Ferguson admitted after the match: “I think we were careless. It’s a wake-up call in many ways. A lack of concentration saw us give the game away really, but we rescued it. To concede three goals at home; the defence and midfield have to be better than that in terms of concentration.

“If you lapse, the quality of the Champions League can make you suffer.” Ferguson was unimpressed by referee Paolo Tagliavento’s decision to award Basel the 75th-minute spot-kick which gave them the lead.

The referee decided Antonio Valencia fouled Marco Streller. “I don’t think it was a penalty. You can see quite clearly that Valencia won the ball. It’s a poor decision. The referee kept getting in the way of the game. I think he wanted to play. But what can you do?"

READ MORE

On two-goal Welbeck, Ferguson added: “He tired a bit in the second half but it was difficult to take him off. If we’d been in a better position we’d have probably taken him off.” Fabio joined United’s injury list. However, the Scot is hopeful of having more options for the weekend’s match against Norwich in the Barclays Premier League.

He added: “I don't think (Chris) Smalling will be back but hopeful of one or two others coming back. Asked if Wayne Rooney and Javier Hernandez were two of them, the Scot said: “Hopefully.”

Meanwhile, there were mixed emotions for Welbeck after the exciting Old Trafford encounter. “We started the game so well and went in at half-time 2-0 up. “We should be finishing games like this, it’s not like us. We’re very disappointed with the result.

“They passed the ball well and I think we found it pretty difficult but we should have put the game away. Now we’ve just got to get back into training and get on with it. On his personal contribution, the England international added: “I’m over the moon to get two goals in the Champions League but it’s a team game and I’m really disappointed.”