Rio reveals Fergie half-time rant
Manchester United goalscorer Rio Ferdinand admitted 'a bit of a
telling-off' from Sir Alex Ferguson prompted an astonishing
six-goal second-half thumping of Newcastle.
United went top of the Barclays Premier League as Cristiano Ronaldo
struck his first hat-trick for the club, against the managerless
Magpies.
And Ferdinand said: 'The first half was a bit stop-start, we didn't
finish out chances and were frustrated.
'We got a bit of a telling-off at half-time but came out and
produced the goods.'
Ferdinand was full of praise for Ronaldo.
'He's been doing it for two years now and long may it continue.
When you need a goal it seems him, Wazza (Wayne Rooney) or Carlos
(Tevez) get us out of it.
'It's about time he had a hat-trick and he's done it today.'
Ronaldo, meanwhile, added: 'It's a special day, I'm very happy for
the win and going top of the league is most important.'Ferguson
said: 'I thought there were too many individuals in the first half
trying to walk the ball into the net.
'I stressed (at half-time) that passing was the key element. Once
we increased the tempo of the passing and movement they were a
fantastic team in the second half.
'You always want a quick start to the second half and the quick
goals settled everyone and after that we played some great
football.'
Despite the 'marvellous' victory, Ferguson was perturbed by referee
Rob Styles' decision to turn down two first-half penalty
appeals.
'I just don't understand Rob. He turned a penalty down in the
Fulham game and there's another example today. I think he may be
trying to make a point, `I didn't give it last time and I'm not
giving it this time'.
'It's unfortunate because I think it was unfair.'Newcastle
caretaker boss Nigel Pearson was left to rue a hapless second-half
performance.
'Well that is a very difficult day. I can't say a great deal more
than that,' he said.
'I thought in the first half we did okay. One or two decisions, you
could argue, went against us. Having said that they were just a lot
better than us.
'The fashion in which we folded in the end is very difficult to
take in all honesty.'
Pearson added: 'We as a club need to move quickly to get this
situation resolved. It's all about picked them up now.
'There is loads to do at this football club. It is in everybody's
interest that this situation is resolved as soon as possible.'
