Sir Alex satisfied with victory over Barca

Posted on | Sunday, July 31, 2011 | No Comments

Sir Alex Ferguson admitted he was pleased with Manchester United 2-1 win over Barcelona friendly in Washington Saturday night.

In the face of an excess of 81,000 fans at FedEx Field, United found a small measure of pride after being completely dominated by Barça in the Champions League final at Wembley in May.

This time, United had barely a sniff of the ball as Barcelona totally dominated the debate on the way to a 3-1 win and things were very similar, on Saturday.

However, United were more assertive in defending this time, even with the club missing the likes of Lionel Messi and Xavi, and take risks when they arrived.

Nani and Michael Owen, who both failed to make Ferguson the starting line-up at Wembley in May to the net to give United the Red Devils their fifth successive win in pre-season, a record that really like their leader.

"It's important for us to win every game," said Ferguson on United's official website. "It's the waiting.

"We are happy to go season by winning the mind, and we succeeded."

Other matches to go to United America also complete victory against the New England Revolution, Seattle Sounders, Chicago Fire and MLS All-Stars for a total of 20 goals scored and conceded only three.

More importantly, as recognized by Ferguson, the tour has provided the club with the ability to successfully integrate their summer signings, David de Gea, Phil Jones and Ashley Young, at the end of the new team-mates.

"It was a good tournament for us, we have integrated the new players as well.

"They did a great connection with players who do not really know.

"We are delighted to win the game against Barcelona. Now we have to move back issue, and hopefully we can keep our shape. "

States only new recruits to play 90 minutes against Barca was the De Gea, who showed excellent handling, but unfortunately could not stop the goal by Thiago Alcantara.

Ferguson has admitted its new 20-year-old caretaker was the difficult task of filling a hole left by Edwin van der Sar retired, but he was sure would take place at De Gea.

"Step Van der Sar is very difficult. He was a great goalkeeper, but we have the advantage of De Gea is that he is 20 years old.

"The qualities you need to stand out for us are as calm, heavy use of the ball, fast, agile, and I think we used that.

"Once we have evaluated, I thought it was right to take the goalkeeper."

In addition to Van der Sar, another key player United need to replace senior fellow of the season, Paul Scholes.

While the club have been linked to the movement of players from big names like Wesley Sneijder and Samir Nasri, Ferguson suggests a possible replacement could come from within the club of Tom Cleverley.

"He [the strengthening of the midfield] is crucial because, with Paul Scholes and Darren Fletcher to retire yet recovered from his virus, which is an area we need to find a solution.

"Tom Cleverley, physically, is not the strongest guy around, but he is smart and is a brilliant idea of the game.

"It 'a good player and I thought it was our best player today [Saturday].

"His discipline has been fantastic, he's a good passer, has your eyes ... It 'a great opportunity to start our season."

Unfortunately for Ferguson, a member of his team, he will be out of Sunday's game next Community Shield against Manchester City, Javier Hernandez, who is recovering from a concussion.

Nevertheless, the United manager was quick to reassure fans that he would not be long before Hernandez took the field again.

"Javier will be back in England with us. And 'in good condition.

"It will play a couple of weeks, but it would always be the case because of his involvement in the [CONCACAF] Gold Cup, and do not forget he played in the World Cup summer past.

"He always takes a break until he made his good pre-season.

"In a period of two weeks, you do some training, but will not play - we will find within three to four weeks."

United end their pre-season campaign, next Friday in the states Scholes game against New York Cosmos, and they open their defense of the Premier League away to West Brom, August 14