Manchester United earned comfort in the unfamiliar surroundings of the Europa League with a 2-0 win at Ajax which gave them complete control of their 'Round of 32' tie.
Manager Sir Alex Ferguson said it was a good result.
Ferguson had named a strong team to back up his pre-match assertions that they were taking the competition seriously, but their first-half performance lacked a cutting edge.
The English champions picked up the pace after the break.
Ferguson told a news conference afterwards: "Well I think the result is better than the performance. Obviously that first half we were disappointing; found it difficult to get rhythm and speed to our game. andI know Ajax made it very difficult for us with their system, they pressed the ball very well. But when they played nice football. But the second half, we had to waken up in the second half or make it difficult for ourselves. But the second half (we) improved, had some good opportunities. And I think we deserved to win. It was a good result you know and can't complain too much when you win 2-0 away from home."
United substitute Antonio Valencia helped set up their second goal, but picked up an injury.
Ferguson told the news conference: "He has got a hamstring injury, unfortunately. Well a hamstring is a hamstring. It's about four weeks."
United have never won the Europa League or its predecessor, the UEFA Cup and it is the first time since 1995 that they are playing in the continent's second tier competition.
Ajax manager Frank de Boer told his news conference that they showed too little strength in front of goal in the second half, adding: "When you're playing against Manchester United everyone should be at 100% and that wasn't the case today I found. And then you know you're going to have a hard time."
Reuters