Eric is United middle man

"The initial response from Chelsea was that they didn't come back and we carried on with the Klebersen deal.

"The situation was we had a choice of central midfield players and then when another offer came in for Seba (Veron) we decided to take it.

"I think there would have been problems ahead with the players in midfield."

Ferguson will now set his sights on signing another defender and a striker - but warned other clubs not to expect United to pay unreasonable transfer fees despite bringing in £40million for Beckham and Veron this summer.

"We've added three players but we do need two players, possibly up front and a defender, that's something we are looking at," he said. "There are clubs selling because the gravy train has stopped at the moment - there's one massive buyer, that's Chelsea, and the rest are trying to be sensible. At United we have always kept a good ship."

Another position that should be concerning Ferguson is goalkeeper following a disappointing return to action by Fabien Barthez in Lisbon last night.

The Frenchman, who has been told his place is under threat by Roy Carroll and new signing Tim Howard, was beaten at the far post by Luis Filipe in the first half and twice by Joao Pinto in the second.

He was certainly at fault for Sporting's third goal, only managing to get a hand to Pinto's shot when he should have stopped it.

United, who won four of their five games on their trip to the United States, pulled a goal back two minutes from time when Hugo turned the ball into his own net.

"Congratulations to Sporting for the great performance and for the great stadium," said Ferguson.

"We had to travel a long way to get here and I can't say I was surprised, I was expecting that. Sporting played very well."