Fergie concerned over wasteful Devils
Sir Alex Ferguson admitted Manchester United's inability to convert their chances is becoming a major concern.
Dimitar Berbatov scored the only goal of the game, volleying home from close range in the 69th minute after Michael Carrick's left-wing cross had bounced back off Boro defender David Wheater
Berbatov, who replaced Boxing Day's match-winner at Stoke Carlos Tevez after he returned to Argentina on a "family issue", was one of the guilty culprits in the first hour of the match.
But he was not the only one with Wayne Rooney, Cristiano Ronaldo, Rafael, Nemanja Vidic and Ji-sung Park all squandering chances against a determined Middlesbrough side.
United could easily have been out of sight by half-time but a combination of poor finishing and good goalkeeping from Ross Turnbull kept them at bay.
The match statistics showed United had 25 chances in all and the fact United scored only once was something of a worry to Ferguson, who also saw his team win 1-0 at Stoke on Boxing Day.
"We missed a lot of chances and that is the big concern," he said.
"If we can't take those chances we will suffer from it.
"But I think you have to see how well Middlesbrough played tonight. For a team in their position (one place above the relegation zone) it belies their ability."
Ferguson also had praise for Berbatov who popped up in the right place to snatch the winner.
"He is a marvellous player and I thought he was absolutely superb for us. He took his goal well," added the manager.
United are now seven points behind Barclays Premier League leaders Liverpool with two matches in hand but Ferguson said he was comfortable with the situation.
"We are in a good position come the turn of the year. We have two games in hand, both at home, and it is going too be a great run in," he said.
"The important thing is to do our own job, look after ourselves and we'll do okay."
Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate admitted they were disappointed not to have held United at bay.
"I thought there were a lot of good things about that performance," he said.
"We were very disappointed how we played on Friday (a 1-0 defeat to Everton) and it was important to restore some pride.
"I thought we were quite bright in a lot of our play, we were very resilient today and our keeper has made some good saves, but generally our discipline in terms of tactics was good.
"Our quality in the final third was what let us down. We got in some good positions and made some good breaks but didn't make the most of the situations we were in and didn't really test the keeper.
"It was an improvement. We knew it was a shot to nothing because only Newcastle have drawn here but today was really about giving a performance that gives us some belief going forward.
"I thought that did, which was important, because it is what we do from here on in that matters."
Sir Alex Ferguson admitted Manchester United's inability to convert their chances is becoming a major concern.
Dimitar Berbatov scored the only goal of the game, volleying home from close range in the 69th minute after Michael Carrick's left-wing cross had bounced back off Boro defender David Wheater
Berbatov, who replaced Boxing Day's match-winner at Stoke Carlos Tevez after he returned to Argentina on a "family issue", was one of the guilty culprits in the first hour of the match.
But he was not the only one with Wayne Rooney, Cristiano Ronaldo, Rafael, Nemanja Vidic and Ji-sung Park all squandering chances against a determined Middlesbrough side.
United could easily have been out of sight by half-time but a combination of poor finishing and good goalkeeping from Ross Turnbull kept them at bay.
The match statistics showed United had 25 chances in all and the fact United scored only once was something of a worry to Ferguson, who also saw his team win 1-0 at Stoke on Boxing Day.
"We missed a lot of chances and that is the big concern," he said.
"If we can't take those chances we will suffer from it.
"But I think you have to see how well Middlesbrough played tonight. For a team in their position (one place above the relegation zone) it belies their ability."
Ferguson also had praise for Berbatov who popped up in the right place to snatch the winner.
"He is a marvellous player and I thought he was absolutely superb for us. He took his goal well," added the manager.
United are now seven points behind Barclays Premier League leaders Liverpool with two matches in hand but Ferguson said he was comfortable with the situation.
"We are in a good position come the turn of the year. We have two games in hand, both at home, and it is going too be a great run in," he said.
"The important thing is to do our own job, look after ourselves and we'll do okay."
Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate admitted they were disappointed not to have held United at bay.
"I thought there were a lot of good things about that performance," he said.
"We were very disappointed how we played on Friday (a 1-0 defeat to Everton) and it was important to restore some pride.
"I thought we were quite bright in a lot of our play, we were very resilient today and our keeper has made some good saves, but generally our discipline in terms of tactics was good.
"Our quality in the final third was what let us down. We got in some good positions and made some good breaks but didn't make the most of the situations we were in and didn't really test the keeper.
"It was an improvement. We knew it was a shot to nothing because only Newcastle have drawn here but today was really about giving a performance that gives us some belief going forward.
"I thought that did, which was important, because it is what we do from here on in that matters."
0 ulasan:
Catat Ulasan