Ferguson satisfied with holders' first win

Sir Alex Ferguson began to plot a route into the knockout rounds of the UEFA Champions League after Manchester United FC put their first win on the board against Aalborg BK, Dimitar Berbatov scoring twice in a 3-0 win. AaB coach Bruce Rioch regretted his side's failure to snap up an early chance, and had words of solace for Thomas Augustinussen after the captain inadvertently teed up the Bulgarian for his first goal, both on the night and for the holders.

Bruce Rioch, Aalborg coach
We knew it would be tough that's for sure. We were playing a team that beat Roma 7-1 two seasons ago. We were confident before the game, we wanted to go out and do well and try to get a good result. The players had prepared well for it and their attitude was good. We had a reasonably good start, we had a half-chance with a cross from the left early on and we needed someone to get a foot on it. At this level when you are playing against the top teams - and we were playing the champions of Europe - you have to take whatever chances come your way because you may not get too many.

We conceded a goal and at 1-0 you still have a chance. But the way the second goal was conceded was a tragedy for our captain because he's been playing really well. The ball just bobbled up off his ankle and Berbatov finished so well. The way it happened was sad and then of course it's really difficult because they were flowing, moving well and with so many options. But I'm pleased for the team and the way we've come out of it. We're in the group stages of the Champions League and we are playing against high-class opposition and it was always going to be a difficult game.

Sir Alex Ferguson, Manchester United coach
We are happy to get a result. Away from home you are always happy to get the first win and we've done that. I think we were always quite comfortable. We missed quite a lot of chances in the match and on other nights we may have been punished for it, but we are happy with the result. We played some good football at times but as I say we were a bit careless with our finishing. Anyway, it gives a good foundation to go into the next two matches, the double-header with Celtic, and hopefully we can get to that ten-point level which I always feel qualifies you for the next stage.

You alway want to get your goal early after being transferred for such an amount of money and [Berbatov] missed a good chance in the first half, so he may have been a bit frustrated at that. But he's taken his chance, particularly the second goal, very well. That was a real striker's finish and he'll be happy.