Ferguson admitted it had been poor entertainment for the spectators, with neither side threatening to break the deadlock in Wednesday night's Champions League round-of-16 first-leg tie at the Stade Velodrome. And, whilst he understands United are vulnerable to the away goal at Old Trafford in three weeks' time, Ferguson is sure his team will come through. "On our ground, we will be much better," he said. "Scoring away from home is always important and we didn't do that tonight. "You always worry at this stage of the season because there are no bad teams left in the competition. "But we will have two or three players back and whilst we won't be taking anything for granted, this result is fine." Darren Fletcher had United's best opportunity, a first-half snap shot from the edge of the area that Marseille keeper Steve Mandanda managed to keep out after originally being wrong-footed. Apart from that, it was drab fare, with neither side looking like getting a winner. "Marseille made sure they did not lose," Ferguson reflected. "It was a poor game for the spectators. Nothing happened." Ferguson's words of praise were reserved for central defensive partners Nemanja Vidic and Chris Smalling, who once more produced a mature performance in Rio Ferdinand's absence. Wayne Rooney also earned plaudits from his manager after an industrious shift on the left wing. "He did what we wanted him to do," said Ferguson. "The way we normally set up, with Nani or Ryan Giggs on the left, gives us more natural width. "But Wayne worked hard, as he always does. He has great spirit but he was better when we played him through the middle in a 4-4-2 at the end." Ferguson was also pleased with the manner with which Patrice Evra handled a difficult return to his homeland. As a former Monaco player, Evra was always likely to be targeted by the Marseille fans. However, his involvement in the World Cup strike wrangle made him public enemy number one. "I expected it - and so did Patrice," said Ferguson. "But he wasn't affected by it and he put in a strong performance. I had no worries about that." Whether UEFA take any action over the missiles thrown into the visitors' penalty area - including a golf ball - remains to be seen. However, whilst United did reach the Champions League final in 2008 after securing a goalless draw away from home in Barcelona, they have also lost from this situation. "Fifty percent of the job is done," explained Marseille coach Didier Deschamps. "We didn't concede, although maybe we should have pushed forward a bit more towards the end of the game. "We know the away game is going to be complicated for us but hope is still alive, even if I think Sir Alex Ferguson and Manchester United will be happy with this result."
