"For the first [scored on the counter-attack by Arbeloa] it was our free-kick and we had six in a line trying to attack it, three on ball and only one other player with any depth.
"I could see it wasn't set up right. Perhaps it was our naivety and urge to win the game that undid us.
"Sometimes we have that over-commitment to win games and attack too much. We need to be a bit more circumspect.
"We got ourselves into a mess for the second one and collectively it was a poor goal."
Rafa Benitez
"It was difficult after a Champions League game and with the players focusing on the Champions League.
"It was difficult to play against a physical team who were pressing and working hard to the end. The players have done a very good job.
"We knew the experience Manchester United had here when they were winning 3-0 after six minutes and then Reading came back to make it 3-2."