"I thought we were very good in the first-half, I thought we really played well - probably as well I've seen us play certainly against top class opposition.
"I thought in the second half United came out very well. They took the game to us even though they had a man less.
"They pressurised us so much better in the second half and we have got goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer to thank.
"He made three good saves, one from a Cristiano Ronaldo header and a fantastic double save. We've got him to thank because had they equalised at that time then who knows what would have happened? They had us against the ropes.
"I am really pleased with the victory.
"The players have deserved this. It is nice to reach that magical total of 40 points as well and I am hoping we can reproduce something like the same football in the next eight games."