FOOTBALL : Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson believes his youngsters will learn from experience after their 23-match unbeaten home record in the Champions League proper came to an unexpected end with a 1-0 defeat to Besiktas.
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson believes his youngsters will learn from experience after their 23-match unbeaten home record in the Champions League proper came to an unexpected end with a 1-0 defeat to Besiktas.
With qualification to the last 16 already assured, Ferguson handed starts to the likes of Federico Macheda, Danny Welbeck, Gabriel Obertan and Darron Gibson. A goal from Rodrigo Tello in the 20th minute at Old Trafford was enough to give Besiktas their first win in Group B.
“I thought we needed a bit of composure. The young players were a bit anxious and that is understandable in a way,” said Ferguson.
“It was an experimental line-up in a way. We have to be fair in the way we assess the players in these games.
“The value is the trust we have got in playing these young players. They are potentially top players.
“We know about Macheda and Welbeck while Obertan has only arrived at the club after having a long spell out through injury.
“The important thing is, though, they showed a good level. In the first half we had good opportunities but got caught on the counter-attack, which can happen of course.
“The goal followed a deflection off Rafael and we were chasing the game. Deflections off the body have a certain speed and that can cause a problem.”
