UCL: Alex Ferguson: We were suicidal!

A relieved Sir Alex Ferguson accused Manchester United of playing suicide football after they edged past Inter Milan. When Nemanja Vidic headed the Red Devils in front after just four minutes at Old Trafford, Ferguson thought he was in for a night to remember. Instead, it was nearly one to forget as United's play deteriorated, with the crossbar and then half-time coming to their rescue before Cristiano Ronaldo sealed victory with a second goal just after the restart.

"It was a long European night," sighed Ferguson.
"I didn't know if it was a game of football or a game of suicide.
"We started off very well and once we scored the first goal I thought we would go on and kill them.
"But then we opened the door for them with too many flicks, backheels and passes into space and were lucky to be in front at half-time."

Had Zlatan Ibrahimovic seen his downward header bounce up and into the net rather than onto the crossbar, the outcome could have been drastically different. Instead, United advance to the March 20 draw with the other three English contenders who make up half the remaining field, proving beyond doubt the Premier League is number one in Europe at present.

"It has been obvious for three years that the Premier League has the upper hand," reflected Ferguson.
"But I am only happy for Manchester United because we had the hardest draw.
"We can play better than that and I am sure we will be better in the next round."