Sir Alex Ferguson has launched an astonishing attack on the Football Association, claiming they treat Manchester United 'like s***'.
The Scot is facing up to the prospect of being without eight first-team players next week as the Premier League takes a back seat to Euro 2012 qualifiers.
Furious: Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has hit out at the FA;
Fabio Capello will name his squad for the matches against Bulgaria and Wales this weekend, and while Ferguson is delighted at the prospect of some of his young stars being included, he remains unhappy at the FA's continued hardline stance against the club.
Asked about his England contingent, Ferguson said: 'It is fantastic. The FA may realise who has produced more players for their country than any club in the world.
Young Lions: Manchester United could lose eight first-team players to England duty;
'Maybe they will get some joy from it and realise how important we are to England instead of treating us like s***. I am pleased for the players. They are outstanding.'
Ferguson's ire refers to a touchline ban he served last season plus a controversial two-match suspension imposed on England striker Wayne Rooney that ruled him out of last season's FA Cup semi-final defeat to Manchester City.
Ferguson then turned his attention to an old rival, Arsene Wenger, and warned Arsenal's unhappy fans to be careful what they wish for.
Times and hard: Arsene Wenger is facing unprecedented levels of pressure from Arsenal fans;
Although the Gunners eased some of the immediate pressure on their manager by reaching the Champions League group stage this week, the north London giants head to Old Trafford on Sunday having collected just one point from their opening two Barclays Premier League games.
That meagre return, the loss of star men Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri, and Wenger's transfer policy, has left many supporters distinctly underwhelmed. Their six seasons without a trophy have led many to start thinking the previously unthinkable and wonder whether a change at the top is required.
Given his record over almost 15 years, it seems a harsh assessment. And Ferguson wonders exactly who those hard-to-please fans have in mind as a potential replacement.
'I would like to know who is going to replace him,' said the United boss. 'The work he has done in the 15 years he has been at the club is the best in Arsenal's history.
'Yes, he has not won a trophy for six years but what does that mean? The quality of his side has not been reduced.'
Rather, as Ferguson points out, the standard of opposition has improved, first through the vast riches lavished on Chelsea by Roman Abramovich, now the even deeper pockets of Sheikh Mansour at Manchester City.
Better together: Ferguson has leapt to the defence of the beleaguered Arsenal boss;
'
Chelsea's involvement has created a lot of the problem in terms of trophies to win because they and ourselves have been dominating the Premier League,' said Ferguson.
'Now Manchester City have come on the scene. When Arsenal and ourselves were going head-to-head, it went on for about eight years. The competition is far greater now.'
Not that Ferguson expects supporters of any club, including his own, to adopt a reasoned view of proceedings.
As he is fond of saying, the world is different now compared to the one that existed before Wenger replaced Bruce Rioch at Highbury in the autumn of 1996.
'It is a bit unfair of course. But who understands fairness and unfairness today?' he said. 'It is quite a cynical world. Supporters are far less easy to please than they were 20 years ago. It is disappointing.
'But (Arsenal) answered everybody back on Wednesday. They got a great result and the game on Sunday will be another stepping stone for them.'
No comments:
Post a Comment