Benfica, Villarreal and Bremen into last 16, United out
(Reuters)
Updated: 2005-12-08 09:02

Refusing to be drawn on his own situation, Ferguson said: "We've got a job to do at this club, rebuilding, and we'll carry on with that...I've confidence in my players."

As for the winners, he said: "I can't deny Benfica the result in the sense that for 15 minutes in the first half they played well and in the second half they defended well.

"They had one or two counter attack moments in the second half when they could have finished us off.

"I don't think it was an unfair result but don't think it would have been unfair if we'd have got an equaliser because we had most of the pressure in the second half."

Benfica's Dutch coach Ronald Koeman was delighted with his team's response to Scholes's early goal.

"The reaction of the team was fantastic because if you're 1-0 down at that level and go on to score two goals that's unbelievable," he said.

"The second half was a bit different because Manchester were trying everything. Maybe they were playing the long ball a bit too much, our team can defend very well and we have strong players in central defence.

"It was a pity we didn't score a third goal because we had the opportunities in the second half...but it's a great day for Benfica."

Geovanni told Portuguese state TV RTP: "At the right time, God is constant. God put it in and gave me the chance to put Benfica into the next phase."