Wenger lends support in United debate

Arsene Wenger supported Jose Mourinho's tirade against Alex Ferguson by saying that, if Ferguson affected Neale Barry's performance in the League Cup semi-final at Stamford Bridge, Mourinho's dissatisfaction was justified.

"I haven't seen it but if he (Ferguson) has done it then he (Mourinho) was right," Wenger said yesterday before having a sarcastic swipe at the Manchester United manager.

"I don't know if he intimidated him (Barry) or not. Ferguson would never do that, no?"

The Arsenal manager was fined £15,000 for comments about Ruud van Nistelrooy this season and, when asked whether Mourinho should be similarly punished for using the word "cheat" three times, he quipped: "Cheat is £15,000, three times is £45,000."

More seriously, he argued that there was a subtle difference between his and Mourinho's statements.

"When you use the word 'cheat' there is a premeditation in the minds of people that the purpose at the start is to cheat," said Wenger.

"Sometimes it's in the mind of some players. That's why I use the word. I don't think the referee goes into the game with those intentions. That's where the difference could be."

Wenger said managers should not be too harshly treated for post-match comments, as opposed to pre-game remarks. "We as managers always have a responsibility that the game remains a football game," he said. "People have to know it will be a football game and not war."

Arsenal face Bolton today and in the past their manager Sam Allardyce has incurred Wenger's wrath in the build-up to their meetings. Wenger denied that his plea to the FA was provoked by the prospect of facing Bolton.

"It's not about Allardyce, it's not about Ferguson, it's not about Mourinho," he said, but added: "We got some hard fouls over there (the Reebok Stadium) and the referee was quite lenient."

Wenger confirmed that Manuel Almunia would continue in goal today but said there was no animosity with Jens Lehmann.

"Ten players are unhappy but that doesn't mean we don't have good relations," he said.

Meanwhile, Wenger insisted that Norwich must continue to pay David Bentley's wages - even though the on-loan winger could be ruled out for the rest of the season.

Bentley, who is on a season-long loan deal at Norwich, tore a medial knee ligament in their FA Cup defeat at West Ham last weekend.

While Norwich are still assessing the full extent of the 20-year-old winger's injury, he could be out for at least the next three months.

The East Anglian club have therefore looked into whether Arsenal would be prepared to cancel the loan deal.

This would enable them to stop paying Bentley's wages, which are estimated at £8,000 a week or up to £130,000 before the end of the season.

However, while Wenger confirmed that Bentley would return to Arsenal for specialist treatment, the loan deal will have to run its course.

"He will certainly come back for treatment but I don't cancel the loan as I feel they have taken the player for one year," insisted the Arsenal boss. ...