Former Man Utd boss Sir Alex Ferguson says football has duty to entertain
Thursday 1 June 2017 09:28, UK
Sir Alex Ferguson says keeping fans entertained should be a top priority for managers.
The former Manchester United boss expresses his sentiments in the Champions League match programme for this Saturday's final in Cardiff between Real Madrid and Juventus.
Ferguson was in Stockholm last week to see United win the Europa League, but despite a third trophy for Jose Mourinho in his first season at Old Trafford, some have been critical of his conservative style.
United drew 15 of their 38 Premier League games, scoring 54 goals (32 less than top scorers Tottenham), to finish sixth.
Ferguson, who retired in 2013, said: "The counter attack has become more prominent today; the condition of pitches is superb today; and also the protection of footballers has become more prevalent.
"So a lot of these things add up to what you're seeing as a far better spectacle.
"I think you have a duty and a responsibility to entertain. We have to always remember that there's a public to be entertained.
"In my time at United, it was 'as long as you win'. If it was 4-3, OK, or 5-4, OK. My last game was 5-5 (at West Brom in 2013).
"I couldn't ask for a better score in my last game at United."
