Skip to main content
BBC SPORT / MAN UTD
Graphics Version | BBC News Home
Sport Homepage | Football | World Cup 2010 | Formula 1 | Olympics | Vancouver 2010 | Cricket | Rugby Union | Rugby League | Tennis | Golf | Athletics | Cycling | Motorbikes | Boxing | Snooker | Horse Racing | Disability Sport | Other sport... | Sports Personality | TV/Radio Schedule | Sport Academy | Fun and Games | Inside Sport | Northern Ireland | Scotland | Wales
Football Contents:  World Cup 2010 | My Club | Gossip | Premier League | Championship | League One | League Two | Non League | FA Cup | League Cup | Scottish Premier | Scottish League | Scottish Cups | Welsh | Irish | Europe | African Women | Football Focus | Match of the Day | Final Score | World Football | Skills | Laws & Equipment | Get Involved | Your Game

Sunday, 24 December 2006, 14:14 GMT

Ferguson wants post-match changes

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson wants to see the traditional post-match press conference scrapped.

"Sometimes managers react after a game and leave themselves open. It is not easy," said Ferguson, with specific reference to Premiership fixtures.

"I have said time and again, post-match press conferences should be abandoned.

"It is a waste of time and does the manager no good whatsoever. All you end up with are sensational headlines. They should be stopped."

Ferguson has not attended a post-match press conference in the Premiership for almost five seasons.

"I don't think I would fall into the trap of criticising individual players myself but it is not easy"
Sir Alex Ferguson

The Scot has restricted himself to in-house television and radio interviews as well as contractual TV obligations.

And Ferguson has suggested that the reason for his decision is that manager's often say things in the heat of the moment that they regret later.

Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate allegedly hit out at Cristiano Ronaldo following United's win at Middlesbrough earlier this month.

And Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho launched an erroneous attack on Andrew Johnson at Goodison Park last week after his team's win at Everton.

Ferguson added: "I don't think I would fall into the trap of criticising individual players myself but it is not easy."

Manchester United are two points clear of Chelsea after a comfortable 3-0 over Aston Villa on Saturday, while the Blues edged out Wigan 3-2.

United were without Michael Carrick because of an ankle injury but Ferguson has dismissed reports that suggested the midfield could be sidelined for up to a month and expects him to face Reading on 30 December.

"Michael did some light training yesterday and reports that he will be out for a month are nonsense," confirmed Ferguson. "He will be ready for Reading."

Ferguson also hinted that he could be ready to revive a bid for long-term transfer target Owen Hargreaves.

Bayern Munich this week hinted that they would consider selling the 25-year-old England midfielder - but not until next summer.

Ferguson said: "We are waiting to see about it.

"Chief executive David Gill is always in touch with them because of the G14 and he sees Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge quite regularly, so we will see."



E-mail this to a friend
Related to this story:

Aston Villa 0-3 Man Utd (23 Dec 06 |  Premiership )
Wigan 2-3 Chelsea (23 Dec 06 |  Premiership )

RELATED INTERNET LINKS:
Football on the BBC
Man Utd fans' views on 606
BBC Where I Live - Manchester
Manchester weather
BBC Sport Premiership
Manchester United
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites



SEARCH BBC SPORT: 

Sport Homepage | Football | World Cup 2010 | Formula 1 | Olympics | Vancouver 2010 | Cricket | Rugby Union | Rugby League | Tennis | Golf | Athletics | Cycling | Motorbikes | Boxing | Snooker | Horse Racing | Disability Sport | Other sport... | Sports Personality | TV/Radio Schedule | Sport Academy | Fun and Games | Inside Sport | Northern Ireland | Scotland | Wales
Football Contents:  World Cup 2010 | My Club | Gossip | Premier League | Championship | League One | League Two | Non League | FA Cup | League Cup | Scottish Premier | Scottish League | Scottish Cups | Welsh | Irish | Europe | African Women | Football Focus | Match of the Day | Final Score | World Football | Skills | Laws & Equipment | Get Involved | Your Game

^ Back to top | BBC News Home | BBC Homepage | Feedback | Help | ©