London, Mar. 12 : Sir Alex Ferguson laid into his Manchester United players for showboating after they saw off Inter Milan two-nil in a pre-quarter-final match at Old Trafford.

United overcame Jose Mourinho''s side with headed goals in either half from Nemanja Vidic and Cristiano Ronaldo, but Fergie criticised his players for showing off after going ahead.

"It was a long European night. I didn''t know if it was a game of football or a game of suicide. When we were 1-0 up, we gave the ball away frivolously. We started trying flicks, back-heels and playing the ball into space where there was no one. It was practice football and it allowed Inter to get a grip on the game," claimed Ferguson.

"From the middle of the first-half to the end of it I thought they were the better team. We opened the door for Inter and I thought we were lucky to still be ahead at half-time," he added.

Fergie told his players they would have to play better in the last eight if they are to become the first side in history to defend the Champions League successfully.

Mourinho believes United have what it takes to win five trophies this season. "I think they can do it," he said. (ANI)