Alex Ferguson slams United defending

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has criticised his side's defending following their 3-2 home defeat at the hands of Athletic Bilbao.

The Scot admitted that his team were "well beaten" by the Spaniards in the first leg of the last-16 Europa League tie.

"We were well beaten, Bilbao were the better team," he told Channel 5.

"I thought our defending really wasn't very good tonight, that kept us on the back foot all the time."

However, a Wayne Rooney brace and heroics from United goalkeeper David de Gea gives the Premier League side hope of remaining in the competition.

"We can win the game [at Bilbao next week], I don't think there's any question about that, we showed tonight that we can make chances against them," Ferguson added.

"Obviously we're going to have to defend better, that goes without saying."

The second leg of the tie takes place in Bilbao on March 15.