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 |
|---|---|
| Wednesday 10th February | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 19:45 | Aston Villa vs Man Utd |
| Tuesday 16th February | |
| UEFA Champions League | |
| 19:45 | AC Milan vs Man Utd |
| Saturday 20th February | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 12:45 | Everton vs Man Utd |
| Tuesday 23rd February | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 20:00 | Man Utd vs West Ham |
| Sunday 28th February | |
| Carling Cup | |
| 15:00 | Aston Villa vs Man Utd |
| Saturday 6th March | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Wolverhampton vs Man Utd |
| Wednesday 10th March | |
| UEFA Champions League | |
| 19:45 | Man Utd vs AC Milan |
| Sunday 14th March | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 13:30 | Man Utd vs Fulham |
| Sunday 21st March | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 13:30 | Man Utd vs Liverpool |
| Saturday 27th March | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Bolton vs Man Utd |
| Saturday 3rd April | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Man Utd vs Chelsea |
| Saturday 10th April | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Blackburn vs Man Utd |
| Saturday 17th April | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Man City vs Man Utd |
| Saturday 24th April | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Man Utd vs Tottenham |
| Saturday 1st May | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Sunderland vs Man Utd |
| Sunday 9th May | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Man Utd vs Stoke |
| Time | Result |
|---|---|
| Saturday 6th February | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Man Utd 5 - 0 Portsmouth | |
| Sunday 31st January | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Arsenal 1 - 3 Man Utd | |
| Wednesday 27th January | |
| Carling Cup | |
| Man Utd 3 - 1 Man City | |
| Saturday 23rd January | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Man Utd 4 - 0 Hull | |
| Tuesday 19th January | |
| Carling Cup | |
| Man City 2 - 1 Man Utd | |
| Saturday 16th January | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Man Utd 3 - 0 Burnley | |
| Saturday 9th January | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Birmingham 1 - 1 Man Utd | |
| Sunday 3rd January | |
| The FA Cup sponsored by E.ON | |
| Man Utd 0 - 1 Leeds | |
| Wednesday 30th December | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Man Utd 5 - 0 Wigan | |
| Sunday 27th December | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Hull 1 - 3 Man Utd | |
| Saturday 19th December | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Fulham 3 - 0 Man Utd | |
| Tuesday 15th December | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Man Utd 3 - 0 Wolverhampton | |
| Saturday 12th December | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Man Utd 0 - 1 Aston Villa | |
| Tuesday 8th December | |
| UEFA Champions League | |
| Wolfsburg 1 - 3 Man Utd | |
| Saturday 5th December | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| West Ham 0 - 4 Man Utd | |
| Tuesday 1st December | |
| Carling Cup | |
| Man Utd 2 - 0 Tottenham | |
| Saturday 28th November | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Portsmouth 1 - 4 Man Utd | |
| Wednesday 25th November | |
| UEFA Champions League | |
| Man Utd 0 - 1 Besiktas | |
| Saturday 21st November | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Man Utd 3 - 0 Everton | |
| Sunday 8th November | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Chelsea 1 - 0 Man Utd | |
| Pos | Team | P | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chelsea | 25 | 58 |
| 2 | Manchester United | 25 | 56 |
| 3 | Arsenal | 25 | 49 |
| 4 | Liverpool | 25 | 44 |
| 5 | Manchester City | 24 | 44 |
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