Manchester United might have lost their Champions League tie with Cluj last night, but Sir Alex Ferguson was still full of praise for the side, singling out Nick Powell and Phil Jones as the pair both impressed at Old Trafford.

Ferguson took advantage of the opportunity to use youngsters in the match up, with the Red Devils already cementing their place at the top of their group as the group stages came to a close.

And though the side lost 1-0, Ferguson believes that with the likes of Jones returning from injury and building up game time, as well as Powell putting in a promising performance, there's a lot to look forward to for United's future stars.

"It was a wonder goal that beat us," he told Sky Sports. "We had a lot of good chances but with a goal like that we have no complaints, You can't do a lot about it.

"We had a young side out that did very well at times. I'm satisfied they put a decent performance in.

Javier Hernandez
Manchester United were disappointed by their loss to Cluj, but Sir Alex Ferguson can see positives from the match.

"It was a good experience for the youngsters. Nick Powell I though in the first half did quite well for us and Phil Jones had an excellent game. It's only his second game in about nine months so I'm very pleased with that part.

"We qualified earlier so it gave us a chance to experiment and play the players that needed a game. We gave some young players a bit of experience and that will hold them in good stead.

"We're into the next stage being winners of the group and there are some big names in there. We could face Shakhtar Donetsk, Milan, Porto."

United will now take rest from European football over the Christmas period, as the side look to build on their place at the top of the league, and Ferguson says that he's looking forward to being in the knockout stages after missing out last season.

"We qualified comfortably and the real tournament starts in February," he added. "The knockout stages are fantastic."

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