Ferguson hails Hernandez

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson praised the instinctive finish from Javier Hernandez that landed his side a vital UEFA CHampions League win over Valencia.

Mexico international Hernandez came of the substitutes' bench to score with five minutes remaining at the Mestalla.

And Ferguson has lauded the 22-year-old striker for the manner in which he dispatched the goal against the Primera Liga leaders as he took one touch before nestling home.

"He is a fantastic finisher. He took his goal as if he was shelling a pea, it was so natural to him," Ferguson told Sky Sports.

"His pace and his penetration caused them a bit of bother."

Ferguson was delighted to land the victory, in particular after his side played out a goalless draw in their opening Group C tie.

He continued: "I think it was an important win.

"Obviously Valencia and ourselves were favourites before the group stage started. So to get a win over them was really important."

Ferguson also reserved praise for Rio Ferdinand, who partnered Nemanja Vidic in the heart of defence for the first time this season.

The Scot said: "This was a real game for him. His experience helped, there was no doubt about that.

"He is on his way back, that is important. Hopefully now we can keep him free of injury."

Source: Sky Sports
Date Published: 30 September 2010

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Very happy with that. Exactly right to say it was a typical away performance - keep it tight at the back then play on the break late on. What worked is that we were once again solid at the back- Vidic and Rio awesome and Rafael did a good job too. If we had been as sloppy as other recent games it would have turned out different. As for the trip, we flew out Tuesday to avoid the strikes. Fantastic weather, great city, haslse free trip and all in all a great one. Stadium is falling apart but our view was good, and the only problems people had were collecting tickets not in their names. V strict collection and apparently 500 were not picked up.

- Oli

Defensively Rio made a world of difference, although we still had the odd shaky moment in the first half. I also thought Rafael did enough to suggest he's a better right-back than O'Shea. He was more solid defensively than usual and gives us so much more dynamism going forward. Not wanting to take away from what was an excellent result, but the quality of our passing in the absence of Scholes left a lot to be desired. I'm confident Carrick - with games - will come good again, and I suppose we have to hope the same with Anderson. But I still feel we're missing an ingenious creative central midfield player. Despite his volatility, Spurs look to have found a steal in Rafael Van der Vaart. Someone who can do similar things to him, or Wesley Schneider, Jack Wilshere... that sort of a player. With Valencia out and Giggs missing for a bit we are down to our bare bones on the flanks, unless either Bebe or Obertan steps up to the plate. Park is a willing runner and very likeable, but he's physically weak, skilfully limited and not particularly fast. There's no doubt we've gone backwards in the past two years and it makes a mockery of Fergie's claim that there was no-one available in the transfer market who would have improved our squad.

- Neil

Typical euro away display. Everything about it confirmed my opinion if how badly Evans has started the season, with Rio back Fergie was able to use the Rafael instead of the man who has an Imelda Marcos like range of Fray Bentos goodies in stock at all times. The impact the subs had was reassuring, Macheda looks to be maturing nicely & Hernandez will only get better the more he plays. I'mmuch more optimistic about the trip to Sunderlsnd after last might.

- jonny

Really surprised by Macheda's last two outings for us...done very well... Superbly taken goal by the little pea, great first touch, and before the blink of an eye he finished it..

- Zain

Fantastic win in the end, glad to see positive substitutions and the two subs combining for the goal. Much better display at the back given the number of dangerous crosses they got in.

- fenwar