Angry Ferguson: We Played Like a Conference Side

The Dimitar Berbatov era at Manchester United started with a bang at Anfield yesterday, before his new club stumbled to a 2-1 defeat, earning comparisons with non-league footballers from their manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

Rarely, if ever, does Ferguson publicly criticize his team. But the manner in which they were outworked and knocked out of their stride by Liverpool clearly irritated him. This was supposed to be the great unveiling of the £30.75m-man Berbatov, alongside Carlos Tevez and Wayne Rooney, with Cristiano Ronaldo fit again and waiting in the wings - Ferguson has him penciled in for a place on the bench against Chelsea a week today.

However, lackluster defending gifted Liverpool three points via a Wes Brown own goal and shot from substitute Ryan Babel that canceled out a third-minute opener from Tevez, set up brilliantly by Berbatov.

'We gave away two bad goals and you don't expect that from Manchester United,' Ferguson said. 'The defending was poor for both goals. When people watch us on television, they will think it was some Conference team defending. It was shocking stuff.

'My overall view of the match is that we were beaten by a far better team. Of course our start was excellent, but I think Liverpool produced a performance of tackling, getting about us, harassing us and making us make mistakes. We didn't cope with that well and that was the source of the defeat. It's difficult to say why that should be. At the end of the day we should be coping better.'

To add to United's misery, Michael Carrick suffered an ankle injury and Ferguson confirmed he will miss the midweek Champions League game with Villarreal. 'We don't think it's broken,' Ferguson said. 'We've had an x-ray and will investigate over the weekend.'

Nemanja Vidic was sent off for a second bookable offense in the last minute of the game and will be suspended for the visit to Stamford Bridge. And magnanimous though he may have been in defeat, Ferguson could not resist a complaint about the quality of Howard Webb's officiating. 'He certainly led with his elbow,' Ferguson said of Vidic's late challenge on Xabi Alonso. 'But defenders do it all the time. [Jamie] Carragher leads with his elbow all the time, but he never gets a free-kick given against him. We're not a dirty side but we've had three bookings and a sending-off. That's the disadvantage when you're not at home.'

Liverpool manager Rafa Benítez tried to downplay the significance of the victory although his reaction suggested the psychological value of the victory will be worth far more than three points to the club as the Spaniard beat Ferguson for the first time in nine league games.

'It's too early to talk about staying top of the table,' Benítez said. 'We will try but we're in a good position, in terms of confidence more than the table.'