Ferguson: Adamant
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has hit back at Tottenham Hotspur chairman Daniel Levy, believing that the club's threat to report the Red Devils to the Premier League is "embarrassing".
Levy accused Ferguson and United of "hypocritical" behaviour in their pursuit of Spurs striker Dimitar Berbatov, citing comments by the manager and club officials which suggested a deal for the Bulgaria international was imminent.
Ferguson has been embroiled in his own battle to retain the services of Cristiano Ronaldo after sustained public courting by Real Madrid, and the Old Trafford boss is adamant that his club have acted honourably throughout their bid to sign the former Bayer Leverkusen player.
"It is going to be very embarrassing for them (Tottenham)," Ferguson told reporters after United's 1-1 draw with Kaizer Chiefs.
"But you know what Daniel Levy is like. He is different."
"It's something to ask (United chief executive) David Gill about because I haven't really spoken to him about it today because I've been preparing for the match.
"I haven't read it, but I'm sure our legal people will be looking at it before I do."
Ferguson also defended Wayne Rooney, who once again showed the negative side to his temperament after an ill-disciplined display during the clash with Kaizer Chiefs in the Vodacom Challenge.
The forward was booked for a challenge on Tinashe Nengomashe having escaped a caution for an earlier foul on Onismor Bhasera, but Ferguson believes that the England international was on the receiving end of harsh treatment himself.
"Wayne is a born fighter. He gets frustrated in some games," he added.
"He is learning how to control himself and it (the challenge) was next to nothing.
"I do not think he was out of order in this instance."
Ferguson was, in fact, delighted with the feisty nature of the pre-season game, praising United's opponents for their competitiveness.
"It was a good competitive game and the Kaizer Chiefs played well," he concluded.
"We found ourselves 1-0 down and that makes it hard because you are still looking for fitness and rhythm to your game.
"I think we deserved a draw. It was a good work-out and a competitive game with lots of tasty tackles.
"That brings an edge to your game and I was very pleased to get that kind of competition today."
| Time | Fixture |
|---|---|
| Sunday 8th November | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 16:00 | Chelsea vs Man Utd |
| Saturday 21st November | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 17:30 | Man Utd vs Everton |
| Wednesday 25th November | |
| UEFA Champions League | |
| 19:45 | Man Utd vs Besiktas |
| Saturday 28th November | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Portsmouth vs Man Utd |
| Tuesday 1st December | |
| Carling Cup | |
| 20:00 | Man Utd vs Tottenham |
| Saturday 5th December | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | West Ham vs Man Utd |
| Tuesday 8th December | |
| UEFA Champions League | |
| 19:45 | Wolfsburg vs Man Utd |
| Saturday 12th December | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 17:30 | Man Utd vs Aston Villa |
| Tuesday 15th December | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 19:45 | Man Utd vs Wolverhampton |
| Saturday 19th December | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Fulham vs Man Utd |
| Sunday 27th December | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 16:00 | Hull vs Man Utd |
| Wednesday 30th December | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 20:00 | Man Utd vs Wigan |
| Saturday 9th January | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 17:30 | Birmingham vs Man Utd |
| Saturday 16th January | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Man Utd vs Burnley |
| Tuesday 26th January | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 19:45 | Man Utd vs Hull |
| Sunday 31st January | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 16:00 | Arsenal vs Man Utd |
| Saturday 6th February | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Man Utd vs Portsmouth |
| Wednesday 10th February | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 19:45 | Aston Villa vs Man Utd |
| Time | Result |
|---|---|
| Tuesday 3rd November | |
| UEFA Champions League | |
| Man Utd 3 - 3 CSKA Moscow | |
| Saturday 31st October | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Man Utd 2 - 0 Blackburn | |
| Tuesday 27th October | |
| Carling Cup | |
| Barnsley 0 - 2 Man Utd | |
| Sunday 25th October | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Liverpool 2 - 0 Man Utd | |
| Wednesday 21st October | |
| UEFA Champions League | |
| CSKA Moscow 0 - 1 Man Utd | |
| Saturday 17th October | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Man Utd 2 - 1 Bolton | |
| Saturday 3rd October | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Man Utd 2 - 2 Sunderland | |
| Wednesday 30th September | |
| UEFA Champions League | |
| Man Utd 2 - 1 Wolfsburg | |
| Saturday 26th September | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Stoke 0 - 2 Man Utd | |
| Wednesday 23rd September | |
| Carling Cup | |
| Man Utd 1 - 0 Wolverhampton | |
| Sunday 20th September | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Man Utd 4 - 3 Man City | |
| Tuesday 15th September | |
| UEFA Champions League | |
| Besiktas 0 - 1 Man Utd | |
| Saturday 12th September | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Tottenham 1 - 3 Man Utd | |
| Saturday 29th August | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Man Utd 2 - 1 Arsenal | |
| Saturday 22nd August | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Wigan 0 - 5 Man Utd | |
| Wednesday 19th August | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Burnley 1 - 0 Man Utd | |
| Sunday 16th August | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Man Utd 1 - 0 Birmingham | |
| Sunday 9th August | |
| FA Community Shield | |
| Chelsea 2 - 2 Man Utd | |
| Wednesday 5th August | |
| Friendly Match | |
| Man Utd 2 - 0 Valencia | |
| Thursday 30th July | |
| Friendly Match | |
| Man Utd 0 - 0 Bayern Munich | |
| Pos | Team | P | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chelsea | 11 | 27 |
| 2 | Arsenal | 11 | 25 |
| 3 | Manchester United | 11 | 25 |
| 4 | Tottenham Hotspur | 12 | 22 |
| 5 | Aston Villa | 12 | 21 |
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