SOCCER MANCHESTER DERBY:ALEX FERGUSON has derided what he perceives to be Manchester City's habit of "screaming from the rooftops" since coming into the immense wealth of the Abu Dhabi United Group and questioned whether some of the club's supporters were "embarrassed" by the way those in charge had conducted themselves.
Ferguson, in typically provocative mood ahead of the first Manchester derby of the season, was almost certainly referring to City’s chief executive, Garry Cook, who was once filmed bragging to supporters about building “without doubt the biggest and best football club in the world”.
Cook has curtailed his media duties after a series of gaffes but Ferguson believes the richest club on the planet have allowed themselves to “get carried away”, and the Manchester United manager still holds a grudge about the “Welcome to Manchester” billboard erected after Carlos Tevez left Old Trafford to join City.
Ferguson said: “I don’t know what created that – probably some advertising gimmick – but I don’t think they can be proud of it. I don’t see how they thought that would get more points off us as opposed to playing against us on a football pitch. I said I thought it was stupid and they probably think that themselves now. I think it was probably worthwhile for maybe some of their supporters, but not all of them. Others will have been embarrassed.
“I mean, there was one City fan who put a tattoo around his body saying ‘European Cup winners’. People get carried away. Unfortunately supporters are just as bad as directors. But I think a lot of their supporters would probably prefer to see a trophy paraded before they start screaming from the rooftops.”
Roberto Mancini took great care not to say anything even remotely controversial at his own press conference, the City manager saying: “We must have respect for the top teams like United and Chelsea, those that have won things in recent years.”
Ferguson has made no secret of his dislike of the modern-day City and his tone hardened when it was put to him that the vast finances coming in from Abu Dhabi left United facing a considerable challenge. “Excuse me, but it was Chelsea who won the league,” he said firmly. “That’s our challenge. We have to chase Chelsea, and if you don’t recognise who won the league then you’re very foolish.”
Ferguson’s biggest concern is the virus that has affected 10 of their players, and the manager himself, ahead of tonight’s game. “I’ve no idea where to begin with my team, no idea at all,” Ferguson said. “We’ve still got players out with flu and some were sent home yesterday.”
The problem is exacerbated by a long injury list and Mancini could be forgiven for thinking this is a good time to face Ferguson’s men. Mario Balotelli, who has lost his appeal against the three-match ban for his red card at West Bromwich Albion on Sunday, is suspended, but City have no other injury worries, with Emmanuel Adebayor able to train yesterday despite a sore calf.
United are unbeaten in their past 24 games. “I watched Match of the Day on Saturday and they said we were hopeless (against Wolves),” Ferguson said. “We were playing with three players up front with only 30 games experience between them and we still won 2-1. I thought our result was a fantastic achievement.”
Manchester City v Manchester Utd Venue: Eastlands Kick-off: 8pm On TV: Sky Sports 2
Guardian Service
