SOCCER:ALEX FERGUSON has issued a robust defence of Arsene Wenger, insisting the Frenchman remains indispensable to Arsenal, was right to cash in on Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri and is a victim of the "cynical" modern game.
Relations between the Manchester United and Arsenal managers have improved as their title rivalry has faded in recent years and, ahead of their latest encounter at Old Trafford on Sunday, Ferguson paid Wenger his warmest tribute to date.
The United manager claimed no other coach could match Wenger’s achievements at Arsenal and they are far from the club in turmoil that has been portrayed.
Ferguson’s respect did not extend to the English Football Association, however, who he accused of treating the Premier League champions “like s**t”.
Addressing the suggestion that some Arsenal fans want a new manager, Ferguson said: “Who is going to replace him? The work he has done in the 15 years he has been at the club is the best in Arsenal’s history. Yes, he has not won a trophy for six years but what does that mean? The quality of his side has not been reduced. The competition is far greater now.
“Supporters are far less easy to please than 20 years ago. But Arsenal answered everybody back on Wednesday [beating Udinese to qualify for the Champions League]. A lot of people thought they would go out. I didn’t. I thought they would win it.
“The game on Sunday will be another stepping stone for them.”
United have made a 100 per cent start to the new season while Arsenal have yet to win in the Premier League. But Ferguson cautioned: “They still have an array of talent up front who can beat anyone and score against anyone. It is easy for me on Sunday to have my team prepared because they know themselves they are playing a team with some quality.”
Ferguson empathised with Wenger over the departures of Fabregas and Nasri, a player he coveted before Manchester City secured his €27 million transfer, and claimed United’s experience with Cristiano Ronaldo and Gerard Pique demonstrated no club is immune to major losses.
He added: “The contract situation today is difficult. You have to be proactive. We try to be pro-active in terms of getting players new contracts long before that period comes. We have had the same issues at times with players getting into the last year. It is a difficult period.
“When you face that inevitable situation where a player is not going to sign a contract you can threaten to do what Arsene did with Nasri and keep him for another year and not get anything for him or capitalise and get the money the previous year like he did. I think that is sensible to take the money.”
Ferguson, still simmering over his touchline ban and Wayne Rooney’s suspension for swearing into a television camera last season, lambasted the FA.
Eight United players could be on England duty next week and their manager said: “ The FA may one day realise who has produced more players for their country than any other club in the world. Maybe they will get some joy from it at some point in their lives and realise how important we are to England. They treat us like s**t.”
