Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson admitted he was bitterly disappointed after seeing his side thrashed 4-1 by bitter rivals Liverpool at Old Trafford.

The champions took the lead in the game courtesy of a Cristiano Ronaldo penalty.

However, goals by Fernando Torres, Steven Gerrard, Fabio Aurelio and Andrea Dossena sealed Liverpool’s win.

Speaking to the club’s official website, Sir Alex conceded he was still smarting from the loss but insisted his side will bounce back.

“It’s a hard one to take,” said the United manager.

“But at this club it’s always about how you respond to a defeat. When you lose a game: respond. And that is what we will do.”

A mistake by Nemanja Vidic allowed Torres to equalise and the Serbian was later sent off for a foul on Steven Gerrard.

Yet Ferguson refused to point the finger of blame at his defender but conceded he had deserved to see red.

“Nemanja has been unbelievably consistent for us with his performances this season,” said the Scot.

“Players do have off days, and he’s made a mistake. He’s a human being, all players make mistakes. It’s just a costly one for us.

“It looked as if [Gerrard] was clear to have a shot at goal, whether Rio could have got across, I don’t know.

“I don’t think I could really argue with the decision to be honest. We’d have been looking for a red card if it was against us.”

The result reduces United’s gap at the top of the table to four points, albeit with a game in hand, and Sir Alex admitted it had been a bad day for the Red Devils.

“Quite rightly if you win 4-1 at Old Trafford you deserve all the plaudits, you can’t deny Liverpool that,” he said.

“But if the league was starting today, you’d take a four-point advantage with a game in hand.

“The goal difference is narrowed, it’s only five goals now. It was a bad day, but we have to kick on now. It was a bad day in terms of the goals we lost.”

Gill Clark, Goal.com

Anyone thought it was a mistake to make all 3 subs at 1 time?

Only having Vidic to be sent off 2 minutes later..

Anyone thought it was a mistake to make all 3 subs at 1 time?

Only having Vidic to be sent off 2 minutes later..

still 4-1 is 'unacceptable'..

When I saw what Sir Alex did... honestly I had a very bad feeling about it.

What if one of our players got injured.

Why was the subs too late..

Why all 3 players at one go?

Then.. bang. Vidic got himself sent off...

To be honest.. It really makes me angry to see that all 4 goals conceded were because of mistakes. First goal, vidic's mistake. Second goal, evra's mistake. Third goal, vidic getting sent off and giving them the free kick. Fourth goal, defensive error where they manage to score from the mix up at the back.

Damn..

after i rest for 2 hours...i still cant accept it 

.. i still cannot sleep. still can see torres pass vidic every time i shut my eyes.  

.. i still cannot sleep. still can see torres pass vidic every time i shut my eyes.