Red View: Audi Cup reaction, Sir Alex Q&A, free 1999 video + more

RIO SATISFIED WITH TOUR WORKOUT Rio Ferdinand reflected on a tiring but beneficial tour after the Reds' two-week trip to Asia and Germany ended with defeat in the Audi Cup final. United lost on penalties to Bayern Munich after a goalless draw in the Allianz Arena, but enjoyed the physical benefits of the most competitive pre-season game so far. "We're disappointed not to win the game, but the most important thing was for us to get a good run-out," Ferdinand told MUTV. "The games in Asia were fairly straightforward, but it was still good to get our feet on the ball and get used to being a team again. "The standard improved against Boca Juniors and again against Bayern, which made for a good trip physically." Rio admitted the Reds were now looking forward to the couple of days off promised by Sir Alex Ferguson, before the squad step up training at Carrington on Monday. "It’s been a long two weeks but we've enjoyed being around each other, training and working hard. Now we’re pleased to get home to see our families," he added. Audi Cup: More reaction | Match reports | Highlights | Munich blog Asia Tour 2009: Match reports | Highlights | Blogs | Wallpapers CARRICK'S THUMBS-UP FOR NEW BOYS Michael Carrick has already seen enough of new signings Michael Owen and Antonio Valencia to be confident they'll succeed in a United shirt. Owen has impressed in pre-season, netting four goals in five outings on tour in Asia and Germany, and looking at home whether alongside Wayne Rooney, Dimitar Berbatov or Federico Macheda in attack. Valencia didn't travel to the Far East but the winger hit the ground running in Munich with a goalscoring debut against Boca Juniors on Wednesday and a quicksilver cameo against Bayern in Thursday's final. "Michael’s already done really well," Carrick told United Review. "He’s a top player and I’m sure he’ll score lots of goals for us. "Antonio joined us a little later for training so I’ve only seen a bit of him so far, but he's already shown what great qualities he has and I’m sure he’ll be a huge success." After four largely straightforward friendly wins in Asia, United enjoyed decent workouts against Boca and Bayern in the Audi Cup, and Carrick expects Wednesday's game against Valencia to provide a similar test of the Reds' new season credentials. The midfielder continued: "It will allow us to gauge where we’re at and look at the things that need tweaking or working on and there’s no better place to do that than Old Trafford. "Valencia are a top side and I’m sure it’ll be an entertaining match." Read the full interview with Carrick in the first United Review of the season, out on Wednesday. You can still buy tickets for the game against Valencia, or watch it live on MUTV and MUTV Online. Q&A: SIR ALEX FERGUSON In September's issue of Inside United, the gaffer chats about the signing of Michael Owen, the film Looking for Eric and the season ahead... When did the wheels start turning on the Michael Owen move? We’d spoken to Michael’s agent before the end of last season and explained our situation in regards to Karim Benzema. It wasn’t a snap judgement or a chance phone call like the Cantona signing. We were always conscious that Michael would be available in the summer and we had a feeling that Carlos Tevez had already done a deal with someone else. After Benzema signed for Madrid the Michael Owen transfer seemed like a natural move. Did you go to see Looking For Eric at the cinema? Yeah, I saw it with the staff here and thought it was marvellous. Absolutely brilliant. It was a very good film. Like all Ken Loach films it had a social message, which was very strong. And I thought Eric was terrific in it. What do you make of the fixture list? Have you identified any difficult periods? I always look at the Christmas period and the run-in – the last four or five matches. They’re the matches I look for first – that Christmas period can be really tricky. Then I have a look for the games against our big rivals – Chelsea, Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester City. But once the fixtures are out you can’t do anything about them – you just have to get on with it. Read more from the Sir Alex interview in Inside United, on sale on Wednesday.