Ferguson: Occasion got to United players

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson says his 25th anniversary celebrations might have got to his players after their 1-0 win over Sunderland.

United were far from convincing as Wes Brown’s own goal handed them three points, but Ferguson was also keen to credit Steve Bruce’s visitors for the part they played in frustrating his team on the day he celebrated 25 years in charge at the Old Trafford club.

“It was a long day and obviously we didn’t play well,” Ferguson told Sky Sports.

“There was a bit of anxiety about our play. I think Sunderland played their part in that – they never gave us time on the ball. They hustled and fought hard.”

“They are a very organised team and I’m surprised with all the talk about them apparently struggling. When you replace eight or nine players in a team it takes some time to bed them down and I think we have seen a side out there who are not bad at all.”

“I don’t know whether you put it down to the way Sunderland played or whether it was just the occasion. Sometimes we have these emotional occasions and it was one today for me, and sometimes it gets through to the players.”

“I thought the second half we improved and we saw some really good play, but the last 15 minutes was torture.”

Sunderland manager Steve Bruce said he was growing tired of coming away empty handed from Old Trafford and alluded to the many happy memories he had there as a player.

“I’m never destined to get everything here,” Bruce told the BBC. “I think I’ve had all my good times.”

“For all United’s great play to lose to an own goal from a set piece is disappointing. Wes Brown couldn’t do much about it.”

“I think we have the nucleus of a very good squad and we’ve seen signs here again. We’ll keep plodding away and hopefully things will change.”