Ferguson hails Valencia form

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson hailed the form of Antonio Valencia after his side’s 1-0 win over Fulham on Monday.

United moved three points clear of Manchester City at the top of the table after the win, with Ecuadorian Valencia producing an imposing display at Old Trafford.

Ferguson claims the winger is underrated by his peers and expects Valencia to play a big role in the final stages on the season.

Speaking to Sky Sports after the match, Ferguson said: “He (Valencia) and Jonny Evans were our best players, and Rafael da Silva did well also.

“I think that Valencia has got exceptional talent and people underrate him. We don’t, that is why we bought him and now he is back and in that form it gives us a big chance.”

Ferguson was relieved United were able to get the three points following Wayne Rooney’s first-half strike but conceded that fatigue set in for his side and allowed Fulham to mount a late charge.

“It was a result for us tonight. Three points was what we were after,” Ferguson said.

“I thought for an hour we did very well. Our passing was quick, we made some decent chances but you have to give credit to Fulham.

“That was a really determined defensive performance from them. The problem when you play teams who sit in their half the whole game is they always have some (energy) left, and they had more left than we had in the last 15 minutes.

“Tiredness came into our game. They capitalised on that and created counter-attacks through it and I think that was the really disappointing thing from us, we didn’t finish them off and we should’ve.

“I think our form was good until they started to venture forward we got caught on the break a couple of times and a little bit of tiredness was coming in.

“We put a lot into our game tonight, I was pleased at that part, but we never finished them off. It is a good position (clear by three points at the top of the league) to be in, but it is not decisive.”

Fulham had strong claims for a penalty turned down in the closing minutes when Danny Murphy went tumbling in the area after a trip by Michael Carrick.

Fulham manager Martin Jol argued that the penalty should have been awarded, but added that it would have been a difficult decision to make for referee Michael Oliver.

“Have a look at it. The referee was there. No-one in the stadium could say Danny Murphy dived,” Jol said.

“I think the whole stadium expected the decision.”

“But tonight the referee was there in line. It needed a brave decision because it was either a dive and he should book someone or he has to give Carrick a red card.

“I don’t want to see Carrick sent off but it needed a brave decision and I think it was a penalty kick.”