Van Nistelrooy grabbed two goals

"In the Champions League there is no real difference between the seeded and the non-seeded teams - we are just happy to be there."

Ferguson praised underdogs Zalaegerszeg for a spirited performance over the two legs.

But he said United's impressive first-half display at Old Trafford, in which they scored three times in the opening 21 minutes, would have beaten any loftier opponents.

"It wouldn't have mattered who we were playing against in the first half - it was a fantastic performance," he said.

"The pace of our passing was frightening at times and the players worked so hard to get us in a good position.

"Although I was confident of winning the match, I thought we would have to work hard and take nothing to chance to ensure our passage.

"I said at the time I'm not against a small team having its big night and they had that in Budapest when they beat us 1-0 - but this was our night."

Backlash

Ferguson, who saw Paul Scholes stretchered off with an ankle injury which could keep him out for a fortnight, also quashed speculation that Roy Keane might need a knee operation.

Asked about reports that one might be imminent, Ferguson said: "He is not having any sort of operation this week.

"Maybe there is a problem further down the line but he got through the full 90 minutes tonight and I just deal with facts."

Zalaegerszeg manager Peter Bozsic said he had feared an Old Trafford backlash after his side's shock first-leg victory.

"They exposed our defence brilliantly throughout and I have to admit that after the match I do not feel any injustice.

"David Beckham's free kick for the second goal was especially wonderful - no keeper in the world would have saved that."