Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson put his teams 4-1 home walloping at the hands of Liverpool down to a bad day at the office.

 

After taking the lead courtesy of a Cristiano Ronaldo penalty, United’s day fell apart with the usually reliable Nemanja Vidic failing to clear and being punished by Fernando Torres and following Gerrards converted penalty, the Serbian brought down the Liverpool captain to earn a sending off and see Fabio Aurelio drill in the resultant free kick. Andrea Dossena’s fourth rubbed salt into the wound but Fergie refused to blame Vidic for the Red Devils failings.

"Nemanja has been unbelievably consistent for us with his performances this season," said Ferguson. "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.”

Ferguson also admitted that the straight red card given by referee Alan Wiley was probably the right one and that, if the circumstances were reversed, he would have expected to see a red for the opposition.