Sir Alex Ferguson saluted his Manchester United record-breakers after they defeated Norwich 2-0 to secure a 19th successive Premier League win at Old Trafford.
Goals from Anderson and Danny Welbeck helped United set a new club record for consecutive wins on home soil and ensured they remain top of the Premier League, ahead of Manchester City on goal difference, going into the international break.
United were well below their best for long periods on Saturday and only poor finishing from Norwich prevented the champions suffering a shock defeat.
But, while Ferguson was willing to acknowledge the under-whelming nature of the display, he praised his players for their record setting achievement.
"That record of home wins is fantastic, it's a great record," he said. "The players deserved all the credit for that. They have shown quality, grit and determination to remain unbeaten during this long period at home.
"We never give in and that's a fantastic quality to have."
United will resume after the international break looking to maintain their unbeaten start to the league season when they travel to arch-rivals Liverpool.
Ferguson knows United will have to improve significantly to win at Anfield, but he believes the gritty win over Norwich shows his young side has the character to retain the title.
"You can't say it was a good performance. It took time to do what we wanted to do and we found it hard to break them down," Ferguson said.
"It's always difficult when teams pack their defence. We've had that before.
"They kept us under pressure but we withstood that. It's always good to win matches when you are not at your best and that's what we have done once again. It will only stand us in good stead."
Following a hectic schedule of games, Ferguson left out Ashley Young as a precaution. But he expects the winger to be fit for England's Euro 2012 qualifier against Montenegro.
"It wasn't worth risking him with the Liverpool game looming and the internationals," he said.
"It's been a busy period for him and the team. But he should be okay for England."
Ferguson also explained his decision to select Anders Lindegaard for his Premier League debut in preference to Spanish goalkeeper David De Gea.
"It was an opportunity to play Anders," said Ferguson.
"He is going away with Denmark this week but probably won't play, whereas David is likely to play twice for Spain's Under-21 team."
Meanwhile, Norwich manager Paul Lambert believes his side can take confidence from their performance at Old Trafford as they look to preserve their top-flight status.
"We created chances but if you create chances you have to score," Lambert said.
"That's a lesson we must learn but we are adapting to this level. The fact we have come here and are disappointed to lose by two goals is proof of the progress we have made.
"Two years ago we were in League One. People must remember that. But we never come thinking damage limitation and we wont throughout the rest of the season.
"I think we've started the season really well for a team that has just come up. We are playing with enough to pick up points. Each game we seem to be getting better."
Source: AFP
