Strachan sings United praises

I know when we're well beaten says Hoops boss

Last updated: 22nd October 2008

Strachan sings United praises

Wayne pain: Rooney fires home United's third goal to sink Celtic

The first two goals were offside but I'm not going to speak about them. I'm a football man and I know when we're well beaten.

Gordon Strachan on United defeat
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Gordon Strachan hailed Manchester United as the Hoops' best-ever opponents after the Scottish champions lost 3-0 in their UEFA Champions League clash at Old Trafford.

Dimitar Berbatov scored a goal in each half before Wayne Rooney grabbed a third.

Celtic boss Strachan refused to place too much emphasis on the first two goals - both of which appeared offside - admitting his side were simply outplayed.

The win leaves United on seven points at the top of the group with Celtic struggling with just one point, a fact which led Strachan to concede that his side are now probably battling with Aalborg for a Uefa Cup place.

"That's the best side we've played," Strachan said.

"Physically we couldn't match them and that told the longer the game went on.

"The first two goals were offside but I'm not going to speak about them. I'm a football man and I know when we're well beaten.

"We kept taking punches and two or three of my players must have been pleased, but there were two or three who wouldn't have been.

"It's a wake-up call for all our players: if you want to play at the top level then that's what you're aiming for."

Strachan added: "I said to the players at the end of the game we can't be faulted for guts or determination but we're nowhere near as good as them passing the ball.

"I felt we had got over our real problems in the first 15 minutes then they got a goal from a set play.

Humour

"We tried to compete but that's one of the best performances I've ever come across."

Strachan found some humour when looking forward to the return game on 5th November at Celtic Park.

He said: "I'm pleased it wasn't a rout. I'm still seeing a red tide coming towards me.

"We'll keep playing away (in two weeks) but it's going to be very hard.

"We want a good performance. We want to give our fans a good game at home.

"But it will need to be some team to beat them."

Celtic midfielder Aiden McGeady also conceded that the best team won by a distance but tried to find something positive in the prospect of facing up to the English champions in a fortnight's time.

He said: "The 3-0 result probably does reflect the game because they gave us a bit of a doing to be honest with you.

"I didn't really see if the those two goals were offside but even without them, they still had a lot of chances.

"If the two goals had been flagged offside it might have given us a hand but there's nothing we can really do about that.

"But we always play differently at home than away from home so we will have more of a chance of beating them.

"However, if they play like that, then it will be very tough."

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