Fergie: We Were Hanging On

United boss admits side were 'hanging on' in Saturday's game.

Sir Alex Ferguson admits Man Utd were 'hanging on' towards the end of Saturday's game.

Ferguson watched as his side surrendered their lead to a second half Marouane Fellaini header in the 1-1 draw at Goodison Park.

Everton put in a superb second-half display that also saw Yakubu hit the post and the veteran manager believed his side were lucky to leave with a point.

"Cristiano Ronaldo had a chance near the end if he could have dug it out of his feet, but we didn't deserve anything because at that point it was a hanging-on job," Ferguson said.

The Man Utd boss also confirmed that he withdrew Wayne Rooney for fear the former Everton player would be sent off by referee Alan Wiley.

Rooney had already been booked for a foul on Mikel Arteta when he kissed his Man Utd badge in front of the Park End fans.

"I don't know why he was booked," Ferguson claimed, "But I had fears about the way the referee was behaving, the crowd was reacting and I thought he might be sent off.

"I don't think the referee protected our players enough, but give Everton credit, they changed things and you can't deny them their point."

Next up at Goodison it's Fulham - click here to purchase tickets.