Experts on Battle of Britain

Two offside goals, another that was incorrectly chalked off, a convincing 3-0 scoreline in favour of holders Manchester United and a continuation of Celtic's Champions League away-day blues.

It all left the English champions on top of Group E and within sight of qualifying for the next stage, while their Scottish counterparts, along with Aalborg, have just a point after three games.

But were Man Utd really as good as Celtic manager Gordon Strachan made out after the game, or was it a case, as some of the English club's fans have suggested, that the visitors were simply not in the same class?

Three BBC Radio Scotland football pundits give their views on Tuesday's latest Battle of Britain.

Mark McGhee Motherwell manager and former Celtic and Scotland striker

I think, if I am Gordon Strachan, I am looking at Tuesday's defeat by Man Utd and almost dismissing what happened after the second goal.

Because I think Celtic's game, their strategy and their performance were totally undermined by the offside decisions.

Goals change games and poor decisions changed the game for Celtic, undermined their confidence, undermined their spirit and, from that point on, for Man Utd it was a showboating thing.

I think that Gordon was sitting down at the end as there was nothing else he could do as manager.

There were no more substitutions, no tactical changes he could make, while Man Utd were oozing with confidence and Wayne Rooney was all over the pitch, playing magnificently and running the game.

But, if Georgios Samaras and Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink return to fitness, I think we will see a stronger Celtic in the return game at Parkhead.

United's Anderson (left) tussles with Celtic winger Aiden McGeady

The first half hour of Tuesday's game must show to Celtic that it's possible they can score the first goal.

It starts at 0-0 and, if they can get the first goal, it will ask questions of Man Utd and you would see a different game altogether.

Man Utd might have Rio Ferdinand back and be stronger, but there's still a strategy that Gordon can adopt to take what they did until the first goal, make it last longer and get a result at Parkhead.

But how important is it that they get a result in that game? I don't know if it matters, other than for pride and their own confidence.

The most important thing is that they beat Aalborg and get that Uefa Cup place and I have no doubt that, having watched the group games so far, Celtic will go to Denmark and beat them.

All through the competition, there is such quality that you wouldn't put your money on Man Utd winning the tournament for a second year running as you have the likes of Bayern Munich and Villarreal coming into form - and, of course, teams like Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool.

But they have such variety, they have such ability and they are playing with such confidence that Man Utd are the team to beat.

Murdo MacLeod Former Celtic and Scotland midfielder

I thought Man Utd were outstanding on Tuesday and were much better than they were the last time Celtic visited Old Trafford in the Champions League group stages and lost 3-2.

I thought their football was better, they had more energy and Celtic found it difficult to keep up with that pace.

If you watch Wayne Rooney throughout the 90 minutes, his energy, his will to win and his passing were just outstanding. He has taken that step forward.

Man Utd boss Sir Alex Ferguson said Rooney is playing better than ever and it looked that way against Celtic.

United looked like they were enjoying playing in the game, because Celtic gave them a good challenge and Gordon Strachan had them well-organised.

But Celtic were not at the races and it was just a case of them playing a team much better than them.

Darren Fletcher skips past Scott McDonald's desperate lunge

It is going to be difficult for Strachan's side when Man Utd come to Parkhead in a fortnight because it was 3-0 going on some more.

I know there is a lot of talk about the two offside goals, but the players at the time did not really think that.

Only a couple of them put their hands up and nobody went to the linesman or referee. They just thought it was a goal.

Celtic scrapped away, but it was difficult and injuries meant they were missing a main target striker, but I don't think that was a major factor in the game.

I think sometimes you play in a football match and put your hands up and say that the opposition were just magnificent.

Billy Dodds Former Rangers and Scotland striker

I think we have got to say that the better team won Tuesday's game at Old Trafford.

There were two bad decisions against Celtic and they had an influence - they were not on top form, the officials - but you can't deny that Man Utd were streets ahead.

You can look at the two goals and think "where would Celtic have been?" if the two opening goals had been disallowed for offside, but I just feel that Man Utd could have stepped up at any time.

The best team won, but there are positives for Celtic to take away and they have to go to Parkhead for the return match against Man Utd and just believe.

MY SPORT: DEBATE After seeing the match last night I think we can all honestly say that the best team won on the night thatsadefinatemaybe

It's going to be difficult and, with Man Utd and Villarreal doing the business to put them on seven points, you have to think that, unless Celtic can bring off a remarkable result, they are playing for a Uefa Cup spot.

Although a victory for Aalborg was the best result for Celtic, the Spanish team were given a stern test and you would not like to be Celtic having to go to Denmark to win in order to qualify for the Uefa Cup.

There would be so much pressure on them, so they will hope to take something from their home games against Man Utd and Villarreal.

Mark McGhee, Murdo MacLeod and Billy Dodds were speaking with BBC Radio Scotland's Richard Gordon.