Statistics & Post-Match Quotes | SC Braga 1-3 Manchester United (UEFA Champions League)

TEAM STATISTICS

MUFC PLAYER STATISTICS

* David de Gea (goalkeeper): 11/15 passing (73%), 1 goal conceded, 3 saves

* Chris Smalling (right-center-back): 58/59 passing (98%), 4/5 long balls, 1 tackle, 0 interceptions, 4 clearances (1 effective), 2 shots blocked, 2 fouls

* Jonny Evans (left-center-back | substituted off 57'): 50/53 passing (94%), 9/9 long balls, 0 tackles, 1 interception, 1 clearance (0 effective), 0 shots blocked, 1 foul

* Antonio Valencia (right-back): 61/68 passing (90%), 2 chances created, 3/8 crosses, 2/2 long balls, 6 successful dribbles, 1 foul won, 1 tackle, 1 interception, 2 clearances (1 effective), 0 shots blocked, 2 fouls

* Patrice Evra (left-back): 59/64 passing (92%), 0 chances created, 0/1 crosses, 3/4 long balls, 1 successful dribble, 0 fouls won, 2 tackles, 2 interceptions, 6 clearances (1 effective), 0 shot blocked, 1 fouls

* Ryan Giggs (holding-midfielder): 77/82 passing (94%), 3 chances created, 0/2 crosses, 8/11 long balls, 0/0 through balls, 1 successful dribble, 1 tackle, 1 interception, 0 shots, 1 assist

* Anderson (central-midfielder): 58/68 passing (85%), 0 chances, 0/0 crosses, 4/6 long balls, 0/0 through balls, 1 successful dribble, 2 tackles, 1 interception, 0 shots

* Wayne Rooney (central-midfielder): 61/69 passing (88%), 1 chance created, 0/1 crosses, 13/16 long balls, 0/0 through balls, 0 successful dribbles, 1 tackle, 0 interceptions, 2 shots (1 on target), 1 goal (penalty)

* Nani (right-winger | substituted off 73'): 39/47 passing (83%), 0 chances created, 0/1 crosses, 0/0 long balls, 0/0 through balls, 1 successful dribble, 1 foul won, 2 tackles, 2 interceptions, 1 shot (0 on target)

* Danny Welbeck (left-winger | substituted off 64'): 23/26 passing (88%), 0 chances created, 0/0 crosses, 2/2 long balls, 0/0 through balls, 0 successful dribbles, 1 foul won, 0 tackles, 1 interception, 0 shots

* Javier Hernandez (striker): 14/18 passing (78%), 0 chances created, 0/0 crosses, 0/2 long balls, 0/1 through balls, 1 successful dribble, 0 fouls won, 3 shots (3 on target), 1 goal

* Rio Ferdinand (left-center-back | substituted on 57'): 27/27 passing (100%), 4/4 long balls, 0 tackles, 1 interception, 3 clearances (2 effective), 0 shots blocked, 0 fouls

* Robin van Persie (striker | substituted on 64'): 9/11 passing (82%), 0 chances created, 0/0 crosses, 0/0 long balls, 0/0 through balls, 0 successful dribbles, 1 foul won, 1 shot (1 on target), 1 goal

* Rafael (right-back | substituted on 73'): 11/12 passing (92%), 0 chances created, 0/2 crosses, 0/1 long balls, 0 successful dribbles, 1 foul won, 0 tackles, 1 interception, 1 clearance (0 on target), 0 shots blocked, 0 fouls

POST-MATCH QUOTES

Mike Phelan | MUFC Assistant Manager (courtesy of ManUtd.com)

(Overall thoughts...) "It is a little bit surprising that we have scored three goals here tonight. In the first half we were not really doing anything in the game other than keeping possession of the ball. Possibly with the way the evening panned out – with the lights going out and the heavy rain, and then us having to make a quick substitution, bringing Rio Ferdinand on – I think that changed things for us, with the tempo of our game going up."

(On van Persie's impact as a substitute...) "Robin was instrumental in getting us further up the field. We played a little bit more in behind their midfield once Robin came on, and obviously he took his goal really well."

(On already finishing top of Group H...) "Our intention this year was to get into [the knockout phase] very quickly. We were disappointing last year – the players and staff knew that, and I think the supporters wanted a reaction to that. I think it was really important that we got into it quickly and we have done that – four games gone and we are more than happy with it."

(On the last two group stage games with nothing being on the line for United...) "It does now give us that opportunity to have a look at a couple of other players on this stage, and I am sure we will do that, but we have to give credit to the competition as well. And as Manchester United we will do that. But it was important we got the job done as quickly as possible, in order for us to concentrate on the Premier League."

Wayne Rooney | MUFC midfielder/forward (courtesy of Sky Sports)

(Overall thoughts...) "There have been games this season where we've been fantastic and there have been games where we've had to grind out results. Tonight we had a difficult night and we weren't at our best but we won the game and that's all we can ask. We've topped the group and that's the main thing. We're happy with that. We're in a good position and we know we can play better football. Now we have a run of games where we feel we can get maximum points, so hopefully we can do that."

(On United's qualification for the knock-out stage after last season's failure...) "We were disappointed to go out at the group stage last year so our target this year was to qualify and then take it from there. Thankfully we've done that after four games and topped the group. We're really pleased with that. Last season we had a lot of new young players come into the team and [Champions League football] is a different experience for them. They've gained experience from last season and the manager's given them further chances this season and that's paid off for us. Anyone can go on a run and win the tournament. We have to make sure we're at our best and you need to be a bit lucky in the draw for the early rounds of the knockout stages but we're ready and with the final at Wembley it's a great incentive for us."

Ryan Giggs | MUFC midfielder (courtesy of Sky Sports)

(On United qualifying for the knock-out stages and topping the group...) "We were all disappointed [last season]. It wasn’t good enough. We knew we had to do something about it and we have. We hope this continues now. We’re in good form, both in the league and the Champions League, so we have to carry it on now."

(On van Persie...) "Robin gets one chance and he puts it away. He’s just scoring goals for fun at the moment. With the form he’s in, his confidence is high and I think everyone knew he was going to score."

Jose Peseiro | Braga manager (courtesy of UEFA.com)

(Overall thoughts...) "Once more we put on a great performance, even better than we did at Old Trafford. It's sad, a shame, for the players to feel this bitterness once more. We didn't deserve this, we deserved a better result. A match is also defined by errors, and unfortunately we have made errors once more. Against these kind of teams any mistake is punished hard. We couldn't allow counterattacks like we did and then they were efficient in scoring from the fewer chances they had. It's a lesson for us. We wanted to win the game and didn't deserve this result. I felt we could have got the second goal because United gave us lot of space but our final passes didn't reached their targets. Perhaps had it gone to 2-0 we could have taken control more. We only depend on ourselves and I believe we can reach the last 16."