Post-Urawa Round-up

United were held to a 2-2 draw in Japan yesterday and Fergie, Carrick and Scholes all offered their opinions.

Could not elaborate yesterday on the game due to lack of time but I share some of my thoughts with you.

I think we were slow, a bit tired and predictable. Not that we should draw any consequences from it - it was simply a mediocre performance in a pre-season game. What surprised me that the new boys haven't got a chance to show themselves as Fergie stick to his well-known guns of last season.

I was disappointed with the contribution of Smith who should really do more to convince everyone he's got a future at Old Trafford. This Asian tour is his last chance but I'm almost sure he will be offloaded as soon as we get Tevez.

Fergie himself was pleased with the run-out and I agree with him: it was great to see United in action after two months!

'We tired a bit in the second half,' Fergie told MUTV. 'Understandable really with the long journey yesterday - 14, 15 hours travel and they found it difficult to sleep on the first night.

'They've applied themselves very well I think, and played some good football at times. We managed to give a few of them a good run-out tonight so we're happy with that.'

Paul Scholes played a fine game yesterday and outlined his targets for the new season.

He told MUTV: "We played decent stuff at times.

"We didn`t get the win we wanted but at this stage a win is not the most important thing, it`s obviously about getting your fitness and getting back to where you were next season."

And his aims? "To do the same as we did last year and maybe to win the FA Cup and the Champions League as well," "I think we`ve got a squad that is capable of having as good a season as last year if not better and if we can do that we will all be happy."

Michael Carrick who also gave a good performance challenged his teammates to rise to the task of defending our Premiership crown.

'It is going to be tough to win the league this season, tougher than it was last year,' the Manchester Evening News qouted him.

'We know just how hard it will be. Everyone will improve. But we are desperate to win it again and feel we will be better ourselves.

'Once you win one trophy, it is not so much that you want to win more, it is that you expect to.

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