At £18million the former Bayern Munich man did not come cheap but his energetic contribution to United's midfield largely kept City at bay, even if a lingering knee injury means he almost certainly will not play against the Germans.

"Owen Hargreaves did absolutely superb," said Ferguson.

"His knees are a bit sore and he will need a few days to recover."

The Scot's counterpart, Sven-Goran Eriksson, was particularly delighted with the latest impressive performance by young City and England defender Micah Richards.

"It is important to remember this young man is 19," said Eriksson.

"I don't remember having a defender that strong and that quick at any age. That is a combination that is very rare indeed.

"He wins everything in the air and can fight with any centre-forward and then, if he makes a mistake, he has the speed to repair it."

Jose Mourinho welcomed his side's point from a 1-1 draw at Liverpool in light of points dropped by their title rivals over the weekend.

"We came to win the game. Maybe people feel we would have come with a packed midfield and try to go home with a point. We picked an attacking side and tried to win for 85 minutes," he said.

"I knew then that Arsenal had drawn and Manchester United lost, so then I feel the point won is justified."

Opposite number Rafael Benitez, though, was left fuming by Chelsea's equaliser which came via a Frank Lampard penalty awarded when Florent Malouda went down under Steve Finnan's challenge.

"I want to have a lot of respect for referees, but sometimes I cannot understand why they give some decisions, that decision is impossible to explain," he said.

After goalkeeper Jens Lehmann gifted Blackburn a 1-1 draw at Ewood Park, Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger defended his number one.

"Jens is really unhappy and really down in the dressing room," Wenger said after Lehmann dropped David Dunn's shot into the net.

"I do not need to tell him, though, he has made a mistake. We do not want to blame him. We want to keep the positives."

West Ham boss Alan Curbishley has challenged striker Craig Bellamy "to be remembered for your football" and become a Hammers hero.

Curbishley angrily denied claims of a bust-up and also that there had been a confrontation between Bellamy and Birmingham midfielder Mehdi Nafti in the tunnel area after the Hammers' 1-0 win at St Andrews.

Curbishley said: "Craig is a better player than I thought.

"But I did say when Craig signed for us 'are you going to be remembered for your football'? and it's the same situation with Kieron Dyer."

Everton manager David Moyes believes Andy Johnson should concentrate on what he does best, rather than worry about having an impact for both club and country.

The 26-year-old is expected to lead the England frontline against Germany at Wembley on Wednesday night as Steve McClaren weighs up his somewhat depleted attacking options ahead of next month's crucial Euro 2008 qualifiers.

"Andy is a terrific team player. His team ethic and work-rates will never be questioned," said the Everton boss after his side's 1-0 defeat at Reading.

"If he does well for England it will help Everton, and if he does well for Everton it will help England."

Sunderland manager Roy Keane has accepted responsibility for his team's 3-0 defeat at Wigan but insists "it won't happen again".

The Black Cats suffered their first defeat since returning to the Barclays Premier League as they were brushed aside by Wigan at the JJB Stadium.

Keane was left to reflect on the wisdom of his team selection as Dwight Yorke and Anthony Stokes returned to the starting line-up only to be substituted at half-time.

"We've got to learn, and we've got to learn fast," said Keane. "But some of the lads have been here before and clearly they haven't learned."

Sammy Lee is pleading for patience to prove he can step into Sam Allardyce's shoes following Bolton's fourth defeat in five games under his guidance.

But 'Little Sam', who watched his side beaten 3-1 at Portsmouth, admits he is well aware there is only so much time in the Premier League when relegation can be a financial disaster.

Lee said: "Obviously it is a disappointing start with three straight defeats. But there is a long way to go and it is all about staying positive and seeing the progress and development."

Michael Owen's latest St James' Park return was overshadowed by resolute Aston Villa defending and a player whom Martin O'Neill believes can play a major role alongside Owen in the England side.

The best chance of an open but largely frustrating match fell to Villa new boy Nigel Reo-Coker, who drilled a long-range effort in the second half which Steve Harper did well to tip around his post.

O'Neill said: "Obviously Nigel is contesting a midfield that is one of the strongest in Europe. You're talking about (Steven) Gerrard, (Frank) Lampard and (Owen) Hargreaves - but Nigel has the ability to play in that side."

Mido insists he is ready to fill Middlesbrough's leadership vacuum with boss Gareth Southgate confident the much-travelled Egyptian striker has the personality to galvanise the Teessiders.

A calamitous goalkeeping error by Fulham Tony Warner may have been responsible for Mido's 56th-minute equaliser but the £6million signing from Tottenham was the inspiration behind Boro's 2-1 victory.

"I believe the football player who wants to hide doesn't deserve to play football," Mido said.

"I will never hide - that is my character, that is how I was brought up. I take responsibility and sometimes you do well, sometimes not."