Ferguson - We deserved it

Sir Alex Ferguson heaped praise on match-winner Paul Scholes after Manchester United kept their Premier League title hopes alive at Eastlands.

The veteran midfielder powered a header past Shay Given in the third minute of injury time to snatch a dramatic 1-0 win in the Manchester derby.

The win keeps the reigning champions in sight of leaders Chelsea, and Fergusonsaid the title would have been out of their reach had United been held to a draw.

He told Sky Sports: "It would have been very, very difficult if we had not won.

"I think we deserved to win the match, no question, but I couldn't see a goal coming.

"I decided to put Scholes a bit further forward and it paid off.

"He was man of the match today, he was wonderful, he's such a skilful player."

Ferguson also paid tribute to the influence of fellow long-serving United stalwarts Ryan Giggs and Gary Neville.

He added: "The experience in these games is definitely important and can be vital in helping other players as well as their own contribution."

Captain Neville said United needed a positive result after the disappointment of their UEFA Champions League exit against Bayern Munich.

He added: "We were hoping for something today as we had not had a great two weeks. Scholesy had passed them to death all day and gives us a little bit of life.

"We just have to hope someone does us a favour."

Scholes' performance in midfield had helped United dominate the match in a game of few chances.

Scholes said: "I think we were the team pressing to try to score and fortunately we were lucky enough to win the game with not much time left.

"It's nice to win any game against City and away from home especially."

Source: Sky Sports
Date Published: 18 April 2010

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Have your say on Ferguson - We deserved it in the United Online forum

What a cracking day saturday turned out to be!! I thought we played well against City but still not quite right although winnin git like we did will really give us the lift we need. HE SCORES GOALS GALORE.... Spurs were awesome against Chelsea who bottled it big time, created nothing and looked like the could concede 4 or 5. IF we can get 3 points against spurs at OT then the pressure is on Chelsea BIG TIME and the one of the last teams they will want to play is Stoke, be it at SB or not. They will fight for everything and will hopefully be launching long ball after long ball at their defence minus Terry and a dodgy looking Cech! WE SHALL NOT, WE SHALL NOT BE MOVED~!!

- birchy

Anyone else pleasantly surprised by Berbatov when he came on? I was shocked at the way he picked up the ball, turned and then ran at the City defence a couple of times. Usually he'll pick it up then just look to pop a pass out to a wide man. He looked more direct yesterday when he got on the ball. His problem is that he plays at a different tempo to the team and tends to slow things down. If he just upped that temp then I think he would be so much more effective. The most frustrating thing is that we all know he has the talent and ability to be a United player, but maybe time has run out for him?

- Menace

If you could bottle that feeling when Scholes scored, it would be the most expensive addictive drug in the world. I went and stood right in the front row behind the goal in the 2nd half, I have bruises and cuts all over my shins where I ended up over the barrier when Scholes scored. Then we stopped off on the way back to watch Spurs beat Chelsea. What a mint day. Moments like that are what make all the money/travelling/getting up at 4am etc all worth while. And in stoppage time again?! Brilliant.

- Matt

What a day yesterday. I'll be smiling all of next week. Our never say-die-attitude over the years has been incredible.

- Geoff

Very pleasantly surprised the way this weekend has turned out! However, as Jonny and Neil say - we play these guys next week... So let's hope they don't continue their dream run with us!

- Abner

What a wonderful day. Couldn't really have been better. Unless we didn't have to play Spurs next Saturday - that's going to be a very, very tough game. Oh, and given Terry's current form it's a pity he'll be suspended next week. England better hope Rio is on tip-top form come the World Cup, Terry looks dreadful.

- Neil

Great to be only a point behind with 3 games to go hopefully we can win our next 3 and Liverpool do us a favour when Chelsea go to anfield. But im still gonna moan because Tottenham should have won that game by 4 or 5 with the amount of chances they created and missed. But id definitey have taken a 2-1 at the start of the day.

- Munsterman

i never thought at the end of the day we'd be within a point of Chelsea. brilliant day.

- Shaun

if it stays like this we will be one point behind and only 2 goals down on Chelsea. then if we win against Spurs next Saturday our goals would probably be equal and be 2 points clear, with Chelsea playing the next day. Big pressure. All big ifs though of course.

- Shaun

Until we have secured 3 points against Spurs at OT I shall not be getting too excited about this one.

- jonny