Alex Ferguson is finding Premier League changing rooms seem to
have less and less leg-room as he gets older, complaining that many
grounds away dressing rooms simply do not contain enough space to
fit in the whole of the Manchester United party that travels to away fixtures.
Giving away teams the more uncomfortable changing facilities is a
piece of psychological warfare that persists at every level of the
game in England, and dates back as long as teams have had changing
rooms, but Ferguson feels that his side deserve better appointed
facilities than are on offer at many stadiums nowadays.
"Everton's are so narrow it is unbelievable," Ferguson told
Inside United magazine.
"Portsmouth's away dressing room is not great and the one at Craven
Cottage is smaller than my office. Fulham is one of my favorite
grounds but when you have 18 players stripping down, plus coaches,
physios and kit men, it is ridiculous really."
And the Scotsman thinks that it is high time that the authorities
acted to eliminate such discomfort from the game as soon as
possible, adding, "There should be a minimum standard of size of
dressing room, especially now you have more players on your bench
and an increased staff.
"You have requirements for stadiums to be eligible for certain
divisions, so the quality of the dressing room should be part of
that."
Unsurprisingly, Ferguson thinks that the dressing rooms at Old
Trafford are by far the best in the country, though the Emirates
also meets with his approval.
"There is plenty of room in the dressing rooms at Old Trafford
and, of the away grounds, Arsenal's are the best by far," he
concluded.