ENGLISH LEAGUE CUP/West Brom v Man Utd: Alex Ferguson seemed remarkably unperturbed yesterday when the conversation turned to the possibility of a takeover at Manchester United but his ambivalence did not extend to the English Football Association.
The Rio Ferdinand affair has caused irreparable damage to the relationship between the club and the game's ruling body and Ferguson's latest outburst makes it clear he regards the new regime at Soho Square as the enemy.
Having already accused the FA's disciplinary department of "doing a deal" with Arsenal following the scenes at Old Trafford in September, Ferguson argued it was a "possibility" the authorities had found Ryan Giggs and Cristiano Ronaldo guilty of improper conduct simply, as it was put to him, to "even things out".
The manager went on to describe himself as "surprised and disappointed", believing the two players should have been exonerated at Monday's hearing.
Ferguson let it be known earlier this season he suspected there were "ambitious people" at the FA who were intent on using United's name to "make a name for themselves". He also cites his own disciplinary hearing in October when the FA banned him from the touchline for two matches for swearing at the fourth official Jeff Winter at Newcastle early in the season.
These might seem like minor arguments, particularly when it will hardly ruin Giggs or Ronaldo to pay fines of £7,500 and £4,000 respectively, but the growing sense of unease at Old Trafford that the FA is allegedly intent on making an example of United has serious implications, with the case of Ferdinand's missed drugs test due to get under way a fortnight tomorrow.
From a position in mid-October when senior officials at Old Trafford were letting it be known they did not anticipate the England international receiving anything more than a heavy fine, the whole emphasis has changed over the last six weeks. The feeling at Old Trafford now is the FA's chief executive Mark Palios will not allow himself to be undermined by a decision that could be seen as overly lenient.
United's case is that Ferdinand should not be treated more harshly than, say, a player with a lower profile at a different club.
Meanwhile, United captain Roy Keane has urged Ferguson to buy a striker in next month's transfer window. The champions were far less threatening than their hosts as they lost 1-0 to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.
"The biggest disappointment is we didn't score at Chelsea and I feel maybe the manager needs to buy a striker in the New Year," Keane said. "We are a bit short up front at the moment and if one or two are injured we could struggle. I am sure the manager is already taking care of that, particularly . . . And who is to say Chelsea won't go out and spend even more money in January?"
Ferguson will continue his policy of using the League Cup to blood his youngsters. Chris Eagles, Danny Pugh, Kieran Richardson and Darren Fletcher will be in the squad to face West Brom at the Hawthorns tonight. There will also be a mixture of experience too as Kleberson, Nicky Butt and Eric Djemba-Djemba are likely to be on hand to bolster the visitors' midfield.
Frank Lampard has dismissed any hopes Reading might have had that Chelsea might take it easy against them in the League Cup tonight. Lampard believes there is no danger of Chelsea being caught off-guard. "As soon as the United game was finished, the manager was thinking about Reading," he said. "We want to win every game and show a good attitude in every game."
Claudio Ranieri must decide whether to give any of his star names a break. The Italian coach could rest some key players in the wake of Sunday's energy-sapping victory and ahead of Saturday's trip to Leeds.
Reading boss Steve Coppell has brought stability after Alan Pardew's acrimonious departure and is eager to claim a top-flight scalp. However, he has been hit by a striker crisis and only has one fit forward at his disposal - Nicky Forster. Shaun Goater is out for a month after a knee operation yesterday and Darius Henderson is nursing a groin injury.
Liverpool boss Gerard Houllier usually bucks the Premiership trend by fielding strong sides in the competition, and with European qualification from the league hardly assured this term, it is unlikely he will make many changes for the home tie with Bolton.
The holders could well field the same side that beat Birmingham on Sunday, with Michael Owen, Stephane Henchoz, Steve Finnan, Milan Baros and Jamie Carragher all still injured. He could recall goalkeeper Jerzy Dudek in place of Chris Kirkland and may give French teenager Anthony Le Tallec a run while Bruno Cheyrou could make it on to the bench after a long spell out with a back injury.
Bolton's Youri Djorkaeff looks likely to start in place of Stelios Giannakopolous while defender Emerson Thome might also be given a run-out after recovering from a hamstring strain. - Guardian Service
