Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson was delighted with the performance of Dimitar Berbatov after their 0-0 draw at Inter Milan last night.

After predicting that United would adopt a cautious approach Inter coach Jose Mourinho found his team outgunned from the first whistle even though Ferguson had dropped a pre-match bombshell by leaving out Wayne Rooney.

The United manager's reasoning was that his side would probably need the extra height of record signing Dimitar Berbatov at set-pieces, as Jonny Evans was expected to miss the game with an ankle injury.

Yet Evans made it, along with fellow injury victim John O'Shea, although Ferguson had gone too far with his plans to accommodate Rooney.

"I made the decision on Sunday because I thought Jonny would not be fit," said Ferguson.

"I had already prepared Ryan Giggs to play in this particular match and so Dimitar played on his own upfront. I thought he was fantastic."

And Ferguson feels Mourinho will not expect a change in attitude at the Theatre of Dreams.

"Jose knows fine well how we are going to play," added the United boss.

"He knows the history and philosophy of our club. What he tells the press and what he tells his players is probably two different things."