It was arguably one of the best Manchester Derby matches and for me personally, it joined the ranks of Nou Camp when Ole killed it for us and the Villa game that made the world know about one Kiko Macheda. A lot had been said by the likes of Mark Hughes about “Knocking us off the (Fucking) Perch” reiterating something that Fergie had said when he had arrived here in ‘86. However, here are the final reaction to the Derby by the players and the Boss.
Sir Alex Ferguson
While we won, the Boss is understandably not very impressed. Here is what the Gaffer feels.
“At the end of the day we’ve had a fantastic performance. We made three horrendous mistakes - mistakes you don’t even half-associate with our team - and it kept them in the game.
“Every time we scored, we made a mistake and let them back in the game. If you do that you can end up losing the match. Fortunately we’ve got the break. Michael Owen scored a fantastic winning goal, and we deservedly won the game.
“I am unhappy, because (the defensive errors) spoiled a really emphatic victory. We could have won 6-0 or 7-0 today, and the fact we made those mistakes made it probably the best derby game of all time. You’re left pondering what you’d rather have; win 6-0 or win the greatest derby game of all time. I’d rather win 6-0!”
“For us it’s unusual to accept that they’re top dogs in terms of media attention,” he said. “But sometimes you have a noisy neighbour and you have to live with it. You can’t do anything about them, they keep making noise, but what you can do - as we showed today - is you can get on with your life. Put your television on and turn it up a bit louder!
“As far as the players are concerned, today they showed their playing power. Second half, we were outstanding, absolutely magnificent. I’ve got to cling onto that performance as the real playing power of Manchester United, and that’s the best answer of all.”
Michael Owen
The Golden Boy who was written off and hated when he had arrived at OT, had today proved why he is Number 7.
“It’s one of those few moments in my career that I’ll look back on and see it as one of the highlights. To score in a derby is great, but for it to be as dramatic as that, you’d have to see it to believe it. It was such an entertaining game and it must be one of the best televised games of all time.”
Owen’s clinical finish will enter folklore in Manchester after one of the most entertaining derbies this city has ever seen. Owen, naturally, takes it in his stride. “Some games you get four chances and don’t score and you get criticised,” he added. “Today I got one and scored. That’s the hard thing as a striker, you have to ride all the emotions.”
“You’ve been sitting down on your backside for an hour, so it takes a few minutes to get into the game. But I got sent on for a reason, and that was to hopefully nick a goal. Thankfully it worked for me today.”
“It was a brilliant game. I don’t know how the manager and the coaching staff do it. It must be so nerve-racking every week. Whenever I start games I’m never nervous, but when you’re sat on the bench that tension rubs off so you go onto the pitch and you’re a little bit nervous. You’ve been kicking every ball and hearing the crowd throughout the game.
“As soon as they scored I heard the announcement which said there were four minutes, so immediately I thought that we might get a couple of chances. When they score, you think that’s it it’s probably going to be a draw, but you never stop believing that you can do it.”
Darren Fletcher
The Football Genius had his share with the marvelous header.
“That was really special because it’s the Manchester derby and because of the way City have started the season. It was a top-of-the-table clash of sorts, and it was important that we got three points, especially after the way the game went.
“It was an exhausting game to play in. It was emotional because one minute you’re ahead and the next it’s level again. It was up and down, but you have got to believe in yourself and believe in your team-mates.
“The fans got right behind us, it was a great atmosphere and we kept fighting until the final whistle. The way we were playing in the second half we always felt that we could get another goal.”
“I was pleased to score two, especially because I’ve missed a few easy chances, especially in the earlier games. It’s nice to get two headers, a couple of goals to get me on my way. Hopefully I’ll get a few more.”
Patrice Evra
Evra gets nostalgic about Tevez and his friendship.
“It was a little bit difficult, because Carlitos is a good friend. I called him before the game and said: ‘I don’t care, when you arrive at Old Trafford we are not friends on the pitch.’
“But off the pitch, he is one of my best friends from my time playing at United. This is why I was with him at half-time. It was hard when the fans booed him. I understand that he played here and then he joined City, but he is still one of my best friends.”
All in all a great way to end the weekend. We will be up with a match analysis very soon.
