Lance Knight
08-12-2004, 03:02 PM
Quote:
Sir Alex Ferguson waxed lyrical about new signings Alan Smith and Liam Miller after their debuts in Manchester United's battling victory in Romania.
Smith was a thorn in the side of Dinamo Bucharest all game and was unlucky not to score himself - his best effort ricocheted off the inside of a post - while Miller came off the bench and made an immediate impact to help secure United's winner.
Ferguson said: 'I think that since Alan Smith walk through the door at Old Trafford he has been absolutely sensational.
'He was a real handful for the Dinamo defenders, he made a great contribution and has been a tremendous signing for us.'
Miller, the 23-year-old who moved from Celtic in the summer, was also picked out for praise by the United boss after his low, driven cross was turned into his own net by Angelo Alistar.
'We were keen to have Miller involved and we brought him on when Darren Fletcher started to tire,' said Ferguson. 'He showed great assurance and confidence and did really well. He was a bonus for us.'
United had to come back from a goal down after Quinton Fortune knocked the ball into his own net trying to clear an Ionel Danciulescu shot, and it was not until Ryan Giggs equalised with a breakaway goal seven minutes before half-time that they settled.
Ferguson said: 'You have to be pleased to win away in Europe. After a bad start for us it was very pleasing to recover and go on and win this match.
'We knew they were a good team, there was some good forward play and we always had to be alive and alert.
'I am pleased with the team's positive performance and it gives us a great opportunity at Old Trafford.'
Ferguson had sprung a surprise in his formation by playing Roy Keane at centre-back to shore up United's fragile defence, with John O'Shea taking on the holding role in midfield.
Sir Alex Ferguson waxed lyrical about new signings Alan Smith and Liam Miller after their debuts in Manchester United's battling victory in Romania.
Smith was a thorn in the side of Dinamo Bucharest all game and was unlucky not to score himself - his best effort ricocheted off the inside of a post - while Miller came off the bench and made an immediate impact to help secure United's winner.
Ferguson said: 'I think that since Alan Smith walk through the door at Old Trafford he has been absolutely sensational.
'He was a real handful for the Dinamo defenders, he made a great contribution and has been a tremendous signing for us.'
Miller, the 23-year-old who moved from Celtic in the summer, was also picked out for praise by the United boss after his low, driven cross was turned into his own net by Angelo Alistar.
'We were keen to have Miller involved and we brought him on when Darren Fletcher started to tire,' said Ferguson. 'He showed great assurance and confidence and did really well. He was a bonus for us.'
United had to come back from a goal down after Quinton Fortune knocked the ball into his own net trying to clear an Ionel Danciulescu shot, and it was not until Ryan Giggs equalised with a breakaway goal seven minutes before half-time that they settled.
Ferguson said: 'You have to be pleased to win away in Europe. After a bad start for us it was very pleasing to recover and go on and win this match.
'We knew they were a good team, there was some good forward play and we always had to be alive and alert.
'I am pleased with the team's positive performance and it gives us a great opportunity at Old Trafford.'
Ferguson had sprung a surprise in his formation by playing Roy Keane at centre-back to shore up United's fragile defence, with John O'Shea taking on the holding role in midfield.