Source: Daily_Mail
Fergie rues errors as United concede two goal lead and says: 'we just threw it away'
Sir Alex Ferguson made no attempt to gloss over his team's defensive deficiencies and accused them of throwing points away.[LNB]'It was a lack of concentration that killed us downright carelessness,' said the Manchester United manager. [LNB]'We threw the game away. I warned the players at half-time that Basle had created two or three clear openings and needed finishing off, but it made no difference. Our defenders and midfielders have to do better than that.[LNB] Frustrated: Sir Alex Ferguson rued the costly errors[LNB]'We were left grappling at the end to salvage a point, and losing a two-goal lead at home like that is a wake-up call.' [LNB]Ferguson admitted that complacency may have played a part, adding: 'Too many players were playing far too far forward. They seemed to think they could do that against a side like Basle, even though they had been prepared properly.'[LNB]Ferguson was unhappy with Italian referee Paolo Tagliavento, saying: 'It was a poor decision to award them a penalty, because (Antonio) Valencia won the ball. Not only that, the referee kept getting in the road.[LNB]'Every time we passed the ball, he was in the way. I think he wanted to play.[LNB] Dispute: Ferguson claims Valencia won the ball as Frei scores the penalty (below)[LNB] [LNB] [LNB]'At least we showed great character to rescue a point, but our concentration levels have to be better.'[LNB]Ferguson said his defence still should have had enough experience to cope with Basle even with 19-year-old Phil Jones in central defence but admitted they are suffering from inconsistency.[LNB] Mixed feelings: Welbeck was pleased with his goals, but disappointed to draw [LNB]'There is still enough quality in the back positions - Evra and Ferdinand are very experienced. But you always like to have a back four playing consistently and we don't have that at the moment.[LNB]'It is not a problem for us because of the quality we have in the forward positions guarantees us goals, and we really should have put that to bed tonight in the first half.[LNB]Ferguson did praise Welbeck's contribution, saying the 20-year-old 'did very well' in the first half but had tired in the second.[LNB]And Welbeck himself admitted it 'felt like a defeat', despite Ashley Young's last-minute point-saver.[LNB]'We should have put the game away,' said Welbeck. 'It's just not like us. I'm over the moon with two goals, but it's a team game and I'm disappointed with the result.' [LNB] Old Trafford match zone: Fergie gets his point across to BerbaManchester United 3 Basle 3: Young's late show saves Sir Alex's blushesRevealed! The soft side of Sir Alex, United boss has turned off the hairdryerCHAMPIONS LEAGUE LIVE: Manchester United 3 Basle 3 as it happenedAll the latest Manchester United news, features and opinion[LNB]
