Experience and pace were the keys to United beating Besiktas, with Paul Scholes epitomising the first attribute and Antonio Valencia the other.

That was broadly Sir Alex Ferguson's take after the Reds passed "a test of concentration, a test of nerve" in a "fantastic atmosphere" at Istanbuk's Inonu Stadium. The boss praised one of his longest-serving players Scholes for his impeccable positional sense and his recent recruit Valencia for terrorising the Turkish side with his speed on the right flank.

"I thought Antonio had the winning of the game for us," said Sir Alex.

"He got to the byline a few times and although his final ball could have been a bit better, Besiktas were under threat from him."

After a largely uneventful first half, Valencia and co were quick out of the traps after the break and were unlucky not to score straight away when Nani's cross from the other flank was cleared off the line and Michael Carrick just failed to follow up.

"I think we had a bit more urgency in the second half. We started it very well, almost scoring from the first attack and I think that gave us a bit of an impetus," said the boss.

That said, United had to wait patiently for the breakthrough - it came 13 minutes from the end of what would have otherwise been an acceptable draw. True to his form as a loyal trooper, Scholes heeded his boss' call at the break to push up and lie in wait for the kill.

"At half-time we said that if we get into a scoring position, then we should have people up in support. Paul has been fantastic at that over the years. It was a very important goal," praised Sir Alex.

Sir Alex was clearly happy with the result, and described himself as "quite comfortable with the performance, I thought the players did well most of the time.

"We had good possession and were the better team, and we played with good concentration because the atmosphere’s something you have to deal with.

"I thought it was a fantastic atmosphere and it’s a test of the players’ concentration, test of their nerve and I think they’ve done okay."

However, there were still a couple of concerns for Sir Alex as he prepared to fly home with his squad after five nights away.

On Wayne Rooney's interaction with some home fans after being substituted, the boss said: "I didn’t see it and Wayne didn’t mention anything to me. But it’s a volatile crowd here in Turkey, it’s always been that way.

"If you go back to 1993 when we played Galatasaray it was a bit of a war then. The fans were incredible then, they are very emotional and they can react."

As for the worrying absence of Rio Ferdinand from United's eighteen in Istanbul, the boss explained: "We’ll have to wait and see (for the Manchester City match). He felt his groin in training (after playing at Spurs), and we felt it wasn’t worth the risk. He couldn’t make the bench. We just have to give him every chance for Sunday."

Meanwhile, Ferguson insists that he always planned on substituting Wayne Rooney to save the England striker from fatigue.

Rooney reacted angrily when he was replaced by Michael Owen on 64 minutes, but his manager is adamant the tactical reshuffle was nothing to do with his performance

"It was always part of our thoughts to bring Wayne off," said Ferguson.

"He had been playing as the lone striker for an hour, which is why he was always going to come off.

"He is never pleased to come off. He has so much energy he wants to play all the time."

then SAF didnt really happy with his testing i think.....we have the possesion but we lack of creativity.. hope we will be better in future

grates MU for the win..1-0 BUT 3 POINTS!!!  

Out of a sudden I do feel Fletcher is the one that have the potential to take over Keano's task ....

Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand is facing a race against time to be fit for the derby against Manchester City on Sunday, after missing the 1-0 Champions League win over Besiktas in Istanbul.

Ferdinand had only just returned to first-team action from a calf injury, playing his first match of the season in last weekend’s 3-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane. 

Manager Sir Alex Ferguson said the England defender strained his groin in training following the Spurs match and was unable to make the bench for the Red Devils’ opening Champions League encounter, and that it was uncertain whether he would be back in time for the derby.

"We'll have to wait and see [whether Ferdinand will play against City]," Ferguson told Sky Sports.

"He felt his groin in training after the game on Saturday and it wasn't worth the risk [playing him against Besiktas].

"He couldn't even make the bench, so we'll just have to give him time for Sunday."

If Ferdinand is unable to play on Sunday, Jonathan Evans is likely to continue to deputise. The young Northern Ireland international was again solid against Besiktas alongside Nemanja Vidic in the heart of the United defence.

injured again  that's mean he is getting old already and
so back 4 against citeh will be

richards-lesott-toure-bridge

o'shea-vida-evans-evra
or
brown-vida-evans-evra
or
gary-vida-evans-evra

or
it's mind game for SAF 

we secure a 3 points last nite that's good enuff for me 

I prefer o'shea-vida-evans-evra

I think I'm gonna cry. I hate one striker only type of formations. SAF like to do this away in CL huh?

same. Gary Neville don't have the speed to mark Citeh's pacey winger on the left (who is playing on left? Robinho?)

O' Shea don't have the speed but he has the body where he can use it.

same. Gary Neville don't have the speed to mark Citeh's pacey winger on the left (who is playing on left? Robinho?)

O' Shea don't have the speed but he has the body where he can use it.

Rooney wants to score in every match now