Fergie reveals police involvement

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has revealed that police were required to stop a fan targeting members of his team with a laser in the 1-0 win at Besiktas.

The Red Devils got their new UEFA Champions League campaign off to a winning start as Paul Scholes headed a 77th minute winner for last season's losing finalists.

But Ferguson has confirmed that the match in Istanbul was overshadowed by the fact that police had to apprehend a fan with a laser who was targeting United players, especially Jonny Evans.

"It was in the first half, although thankfully the police did something about it," said the United manager.

"They managed to get the culprit, which is good because I noticed it particularly on Jonny Evans. It seemed to be on him all the time."

Ferguson was also alerted to a security problem behind his dug-out, although he was eager not to make an issue of that.

"Someone mentioned it to me, but I never saw anything," he said.

"I do know the fans made the loudest noise I have ever heard. They never stopped the whole night."

Meanwhile, Ferguson insists that he always planned on substituting Wayne Rooney to save the England striker from fatigue.

Rooney reacted angrily when he was replaced by Michael Owen on 64 minutes, but his manager is adamant the tactical reshuffle was nothing to do with his performance

"It was always part of our thoughts to bring Wayne off," said Ferguson.

"He had been playing as the lone striker for an hour, which is why he was always going to come off.

"He is never pleased to come off. He has so much energy he wants to play all the time."