Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson admitted he was
"shocked" after his side's 1-0 defeat against Celtic in the
Champions League.
"To be honest, losing this game is very hard to take," he
said.
"We didn't do enough in the last third of the field and that is
what can happen in football if you don't take your chances.
"It is disappointing because we have thrown it away by not scoring
goals to win the match."
Louis Saha's last-minute penalty miss meant United failed to
overturn Shunsuke Nakamura's stunning free-kick 10 minutes from
time.
Ferguson was less than impressed with defeat at Celtic
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson admitted he was
"shocked" after his side's 1-0 defeat against Celtic in the
Champions League.
"To be honest, losing this game is very hard to take," he
said.
"We didn't do enough in the last third of the field and that is
what can happen in football if you don't take your chances.
"It is disappointing because we have thrown it away by not scoring
goals to win the match."
Louis Saha's last-minute penalty miss meant United failed to
overturn Shunsuke Nakamura's stunning free-kick 10 minutes from
time.
It looks like we will have to do it the hard way again
Sir Alex Ferguson
United face Benfica in their final group match for the second
season running, knowing another defeat would dump them out of the
group stage once more.
"I am in shock," said Ferguson.
"Our home form has been very good.
"I have no worries on that score. We have to be a bit more
aggressive and take our chances.
"Unfortunately we have a couple of big matches to play before then.
We can focus on those and put the Champions League on the back
burner."
Ferguson was referring to Sunday's crucial Premiership encounter
with Chelsea at Old Trafford, when a win would put United six
points clear at the top of the table.
Besides his penalty miss, Saha also wasted a major chance when he
believed he had been flagged offside when in fact play had been
waved on. "Louis thought he heard a whistle," conceded
Ferguson.
"Louis is obviously disappointed to miss the penalty but the
players will help to lift him because we are all together at this
club.
"There are no problems with the boy. I am sure he will miss another
penalty in his career at some point.
"Understandably, the players are disappointed. We have five days to
lift them but if we want to win the league we have to show
character and I am sure we will."
Ferguson insisted despite the result his team had not failed in his
home city, believing they had come as close as it was possible to
becoming only the second side to defeat Celtic at Parkhead in the
Champions League.
"Benfica came here and melted in that atmosphere, we didn't.
Historically, we have always had to do things the hard way at this
football club. It looks like we will have to do it the hard way
again."
