Ferguson backs Diouf debut

The 22-year-old striker came off the bench for the last 16 minutes at Old Trafford and got himself on the scoresheet when he raced on to Antonio Valencia's through ball before heading home.

The Senegal international was signed by the Red Devils last summer but remained on loan at Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's former club Molde in order to get acquainted with the European game.

Ferguson drafted Diouf back into his squad after losing Federico Macheda to injury and feels he has a bright future ahead of him. "We are quite excited about him," said Ferguson.

"The boy has great spring. He is quick, good in the air and looked to run behind their defence all the time. "He has a lot of good attributes we can use."

Van der Sar praised Ferguson also reserved special praise for goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar, who kept a clean sheet on his return to the United side.

The 39-year-old has endured a miserable campaign so far with knee and finger injuries keeping him on the sidelines before wife Annemarie suffered a stroke just before Christmas.

Ferguson however had no hesitation in drafting the Dutchman straight back in for only his eighth appearance of the season.

Edwin was magnificent," he added.

"He was steady, his decision-making was great and so was his use of the ball.

"Tomasz Kuszczak has done really well for us over the last few weeks and it is no slight on him to say that Edwin made a difference.

"He is 39 and has 139 caps, two European Cup winners' medals and been in four European finals.

"You could go on and on about his experience and it shows."