Manchester United Football Club News

• Nickname:Red Devils
• Founded:1878
• Manager:Sir Alex Ferguson

• Ground:Old Trafford
• Capacity:68,174

Ferguson plays down win

05 Aug 2007 - 18:27:40

Click To Enlarge

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson was pleased with his side's performance in Sunday's Community Shield win over Chelsea but does not think the victory can be used as a yardstick for the season to come.

United won 3-0 on penalties following a 1-1 draw after 90 minutes at Wembley with keeper Edwin Van der Sar saving all three of Chelsea's spot-kicks in the shoot-out.

Ferguson said: "You have to use it as a stepping stone for next week, I think both teams did that.

"A lot of the players are tired but it brings them on towards the sharpness and tempo needed to win games.

"Neither side was 100 per cent ready but you get that in a Community Shield match.

"I thought the goals were very good - (Florent) Malouda took his goal very, very well.

"The build-up to our goal was excellent too. It was a marvellous finish from Ryan (Giggs). He's slotted it in a gap in the net very well."

Hero Van der Sar added: "That was a little bit of revenge after we lost to Chelsea in the FA Cup Final.

"I was 5-2 down on penalty shoot-outs in my career so this was a great feeling and I think we deserved to win overall.

"We played the better football, we had more chances than them."