Boss relief at late Reds win
:devil:Sir Alex Ferguson expressed his relief at Nemanja Vidics injury-time strike in the 1-0 win over Sunderland.
The Reds boss praised Sunderlands stubborn resistance as his United side threw absolutely everything at the Premier League strugglers, but he said there was only ever going to be one winner in the match.
Im relieved, the United boss told MUTV. It was so late in the game, but we got the break because we took a gamble. We deserved to win the match because we were the team that wanted to win.
With the game fast looking like the Reds would not find a way through, United pushed everyone forward, and seconds into four minutes of added time the breakthrough finally arrived.
We decided to leave Nemanja Vidic up the pitch and leave Rio [Ferdinand] one on one with Kenwyne Jones, explained Sir Alex. We felt that there was no threat from that side of the game. We were in complete control.
Sunderland had no ambition to attack, and often had all eleven players behind the ball. It was a frustrating tactic that stifled the game as a spectacle, but Sir Alex doesnt blame caretaker boss Ricky Sbragia coming to Old Trafford to defend.
I can understand Sunderland, in their desperation down near the bottom of the league, coming here to defend. To get a point would have been a great for them. They made it difficult.
"We had chances, but the goalkeeper made good saves in the first half. Then in the second half we had some outstanding chances, we should maybe have done better with them. It was hard work, and it's difficult playing against a team that is as defensive as Sunderland were. Its difficult to break down.