Queiroz: I had a real good time in Madrid

Carlos Queiroz last night insisted he has no regrets about his ill-fated year at Real Madrid. Queiroz is back at Manchester United as assistant to Sir Alex Ferguson,just12months after leaving the job to jump into the Bernabeu hot-seat.

Despite an impressive start in Spain, Queiroz was unable to halt an alarming slump which saw Real dumped out of the Champions League in the quarter-finals and collapse to fourth in La Liga after topping the table in March.

Club president Florentino Perez wasted no time in dumping Queiroz, who said: "From a professional point of view, it was a great season."

"Unfortunately, the results didn't reach what we would expect but during those eight months we created some magic and entertainment and overall, it was very good for me."

"Just because you don't win a title, it doesn't mean you are moving in the wrong direction."

"I don't regret leaving United and going to Madrid because when I made the decision, it was the right one."

"But coming back is special because it means people must have been happy with me."

Roy Keane and Ryan Giggs have already spoken of their delight at Queiroz's return and clearly the Portuguese's innovative training techniques are popular at United.

He took charge of the first stages of United's pre-season programme and has already made his presence felt by persuading Ferguson to appoint fitness guru Valter di Salvo to the Old Trafford backroom staff.

Di Salvo was the man apparently blamed by David Beckham for his lack of fitness during Euro 2004.

It was part of a public spat between Beckham and Queiroz, that led to the coach supposedly claiming the former Manchester United midfielder was 'always looking for excuses' for his disappointments.

However, the pair have since got together for a chat and accepted each other's comments had been twisted.

Queiroz added: "I had the opportunity to talk with David and we understand together what was going on with regard to those comments."

"He knows exactly what I said and I know exactly what he said. We discussed it and it is clear between us. There is no problem."

"David never questioned the fitness at the Bernabeu."

"The information that came out was manipulated by one specific source who had always tried to damage the work I was doing at Real."

"It started when I went there. It went on during the season and didn't finish when I left. It was nothing new."

"There was no innovation, no imagination,just rubbish."