Angry Ferguson hits out at Premier League
Sir Alex Ferguson has fiercely criticised the Premier League for
failing to aid Manchester United in their Champions League
quest.
United tumbled out of the tournament at the semi-final stage last
night as a fitter, fresher AC Milan romped to a 3-0 win in the San
Siro which sealed a 5-3 aggregate triumph and earned the Italians a
rematch with 2005 conquerors Liverpool in Athens on May 23.
Just like title rivals Chelsea 24 hours earlier, United failed to
find the legs to pursue their challenge.
And, while Ferguson does not blame the huge number of games his
side have played recently for this crushing defeat, he does not
believe the Premier League, who rejected a request to push
Saturday's Manchester derby back by 24 hours, have helped
them.
'We play in a very tough league and we have been using the same
players with no respite for quite a while now,' said
Ferguson.
'AC Milan have been able to rest their players at the appropriate
times.
'In some countries, they help teams to prepare for European games.
That is a problem.
'The Premier League have made an unfair decision against us by
making us play Manchester City on Saturday.
'The TV people were happy for the game to be played on Sunday
morning but the Premier League wanted to maintain the integrity of
the competition. You can work out what integrity means. They are
the ones who made Tottenham play Chelsea one-and-a-half days after
a UEFA Cup tie.'
Despite an obvious fatigue factor, Ferguson admitted he never saw
such a poor performance coming.
The Scot admitted United were slow out of the blocks and promptly
lost their precious one-goal advantage from the first leg when Kaka
drilled home after just 11 minutes.
Clarence Seedorf capped an outstanding performance by burying
number two in the same corner on the half hour and though United
improved after the break, they never threatened to match their
amazing comeback against Juventus in 1999. And in the end, it was
Milan who got a third through substitute Alberto Gilardino.
'We needed to get through the first 25 minutes without cutting our
own throats,' said Ferguson.
'We needed to try and remain calm and keep possession but we
conceded two sloppy goals. You should not be losing goals like
that.
'It was a disappointing night. I expected more from my players but
we have to take it on the chin.'
At least United still have the domestic double to play for, with
victory over City required this weekend to leave them just a single
point away from clinching the title.
Nemanja Vidic and Louis Saha should both improve for their
appearances in the San Siro, while Ferguson expects Rio Ferdinand
to be available now he has recovered from the groin strain that has
dogged him for the past month.
