Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson admits their win at AC Milan may have had an impact on defeat at Everton yesterday.

Ferguson was left to wonder whether his side's midweek efforts in Milan had taken their toll.

"Milan could have had an impact," he said.

"It is difficult to think that when you go through all the emotions and the pace and intensity and atmosphere of a game like Tuesday, you don't lose something.

"Whatever it was, it was just too much for us today.

"We had some good chances early on and we could have been two or three up.

"The equaliser changed the game a little bit. But it was the second half that let us down.

"Our second-half performance was very poor and when you are going for the championship you expect Manchester United to respond to the importance of the game."