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Fergie fuming after friendly
28/03/2008 20:09 - (SA)
Manchester - Sir Alex Ferguson has launched a scathing criticism of international friendly fixtures after losing his midfielder Darren Fletcher for six crucial weeks of the season.
Fletcher, who has become a key member of the Manchester United squad in recent weeks, injured knee ligaments while playing for Scotland in their friendly meeting against Croatia on Wednesday.
The veteran United manager has long been a vocal critic of non-competitive international games and the latest incident triggered a predictably furious response.
'He played the full game'
"We've had a bad blow with Darren and it emphasises the futility of playing these friendly games," said Ferguson. "It's crazy, we have lost him for six weeks now.
"He was recovering from a bad chest cold and we rested him last Sunday (against Liverpool) because of that. But it turns out he played for his country and, while he should have only played for 45 or 60 minutes at most, it turns out he played the full game so he is out for six weeks.
"It's a bad blow for us and it's crazy. Supporters will stop going to these kind of games. They have the whole of the end of May, too. (England) have fixtures against Trinidad and the USA and I think every manager knows, they're a waste of time."
'Rio is in the driving seat'
Ferguson, however, was pleased about one friendly fixture played this week as England's visit to France allowed Reds defender Rio Ferdinand to skipper the national team for the first time as manager Fabio Capello set about determining who will be his permanent captain.
"I think he's looking to experiment with other captains but the good thing is Rio is first in the driving seat and that gives him a head start," said Ferguson.
"I think he represented them well, apart from the result of course, and we're all delighted for him."
Aside from Fletcher's absence, Louis Saha will also be missing for two or three weeks after injuring his hamstring in United's recent victory over Bolton.
But the disappointment of two absentees from his squad has been offset for Ferguson by the form of experienced midfielder Paul Scholes, who has rebounded from his own injury problems in impressive fashion.
'Head and shoulders above players'
"Last Sunday's (3-0) win over Liverpool was a great sign for me," said Ferguson. "In terms of the confidence of the team, the composure. But what was most rewarding for me in the game was the form of Paul Scholes.
"After three and a half months out, he has been taking his time to get back to the real Paul Scholes but last Sunday, for me, he was head and shoulders above every player on the pitch, he was absolutely magnificent.
"We had some fantastic performances, but Paul has given us the confidence for the next few weeks.
"We have to use our performance against Liverpool as a barometer for the rest of the season because the most consistent team will win the league."
- AFP
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