Sir Alex: Jonny Evans was magnificent and Rafael Da Silva was fantastic

Sir Alex Ferguson praised Manchester United’s defense after grinding out a 1:0 victory at home to West Ham on Wednesday night.Robin van Persie netted the fastest league goal so far this season with a deflected shot in the opening minute, but the Red Devils were unable to convert any more of their chances.

"West Ham are renowned for making it difficult for you," Ferguson told Sky Sports News. "They’re a very dogged team to break down.

Asked if it felt unusual for his side to score the first goal in a game, after coming from behind to win six times already this term, the Scot quipped: "Yes, and to keep a clean sheet. That's Christmas time!

"I thought Chris Smalling did very well having just come into the team after a long absence with injury. Jonny Evans was magnificent and Rafael Da Silva was fantastic, absolutely terrific. So we do have plus points tonight, particularly defending. You have to against them because you have to against them because they're such a handful. "But we got a great start and I thought from there we could have pushed on. Some of our football was very good at times, but we never finished them off."