Man Utd beat Birmingham

Cristiano Ronaldo's second-half strike was enough to separate Manchester United and Birmingham at St Andrews. The pivotal moment of the game came just five minutes after half-time when Franck Queudrue was caught in possession on the edge of the box and Ronaldo showed good skill to then run past another defender and round the keeper, leaving the Portuguese winger, making his 100th start for the club, to slot home from close range.

Ronaldo's first goal of the campaign was enough to see off Birmingham, and the side went down battling till the end.

Ferguson admitted: "On reflection, that is the best side we have played this season.

"In the first half we were lucky, although we did carve out a few chances of our own. I couldn't wait to get in to half-time.

"Birmingham were very athletic, very aggressive, very quick about the pitch and even at 1-0 I was still praying we would get through the match.

"We had opportunities but Birmingham, in the first half, had even better ones."

Ferguson was full of praise for Ronaldo, who scored his first league goal of the campaign in what was his 100th Premier League start.

He said: "Ronaldo was sensational again today. The boy is so talented. His capabilities are unending."