07-21-2005, 05:16 PM
FERGIE Fixtures always favour Arsenal
Jose's right to blast FA
By James Fletcher
SIR ALEX FERGUSON last night backed Jose Mourinho's attack on the FA by insisting Arsenal have been running the fixture list for years.
The Manchester United boss said "He's only taken a year to find that out.
"I've been complaining about that for seven years and no one listens to me.
"Maybe they'll listen to Mourinho more!
"He's dead right, by the way. He's spot on. You look at the fixtures Arsenal have after European games — it's been going on for years."
Chelsea boss Mourinho is furious that his side face away games after their first five Champions League matches, while Arsenal are at home.
Mourinho also suggested David Dein, who is both Arsenal vice-chairman and an FA board member, has too much influence.
The Portuguese's comments provoked a fierce reaction from the FA, who insisted they were ‘unnecessary, unhelpful, bad for the image of the game and inaccurate'.
Ferguson stopped short of criticising Dein but he is determined to keep the pressure on both Arsenal and Chelsea. The Scot has warned Mourinho Spend as much as you like, I have the squad to win the title.
He said "Would it be our greatest achievement? I'm not sure. Our first title was a magnificent step to take and the Treble was the same.
"It's hard to go beyond those accomplishments but we want to show we CAN win titles on these new terms — and I think we have the playing resources to do it.
"I can't believe some of the things Chelsea have done in the transfer market — it's incredible. But I also believe we have the players to win the League."
Chelsea chief Mourinho has already spent £8million on Spanish defender Asier Del Horno and a further £3m on Le Havre's Lassana Diarra.
There is a further £40m earmarked for midfielders Michael Essien and Shaun Wright-Phillips.
Fergie added "Chelsea have the advantage of being able to spend so much more in the transfer market.
Rivalry
"It means we have to view our club differently and think of aspects which, without doubt, will make us better equipped to win titles.
"I believe you can still get on with business without worrying about Chelsea. They can't buy all the players. Chelsea have created a rivalry, an incentive to win the league on these new terms.
"When we won the title in 1993, it was the first time in 26 years. That was an incredible incentive for us.
"It was the same when we won the Double for the first time in 1996 and the Treble in 1999 — but this is different.
"It's a challenge of Chelsea versus everyone else. Last season, our main thought was to make sure Arsenal didn't win the Premiership again.
"When it came to the challenge, we were looking in the wrong direction.
"We didn't expect Chelsea to be so strong."
Jose's right to blast FA
By James Fletcher
SIR ALEX FERGUSON last night backed Jose Mourinho's attack on the FA by insisting Arsenal have been running the fixture list for years.
The Manchester United boss said "He's only taken a year to find that out.
"I've been complaining about that for seven years and no one listens to me.
"Maybe they'll listen to Mourinho more!
"He's dead right, by the way. He's spot on. You look at the fixtures Arsenal have after European games — it's been going on for years."
Chelsea boss Mourinho is furious that his side face away games after their first five Champions League matches, while Arsenal are at home.
Mourinho also suggested David Dein, who is both Arsenal vice-chairman and an FA board member, has too much influence.
The Portuguese's comments provoked a fierce reaction from the FA, who insisted they were ‘unnecessary, unhelpful, bad for the image of the game and inaccurate'.
Ferguson stopped short of criticising Dein but he is determined to keep the pressure on both Arsenal and Chelsea. The Scot has warned Mourinho Spend as much as you like, I have the squad to win the title.
He said "Would it be our greatest achievement? I'm not sure. Our first title was a magnificent step to take and the Treble was the same.
"It's hard to go beyond those accomplishments but we want to show we CAN win titles on these new terms — and I think we have the playing resources to do it.
"I can't believe some of the things Chelsea have done in the transfer market — it's incredible. But I also believe we have the players to win the League."
Chelsea chief Mourinho has already spent £8million on Spanish defender Asier Del Horno and a further £3m on Le Havre's Lassana Diarra.
There is a further £40m earmarked for midfielders Michael Essien and Shaun Wright-Phillips.
Fergie added "Chelsea have the advantage of being able to spend so much more in the transfer market.
Rivalry
"It means we have to view our club differently and think of aspects which, without doubt, will make us better equipped to win titles.
"I believe you can still get on with business without worrying about Chelsea. They can't buy all the players. Chelsea have created a rivalry, an incentive to win the league on these new terms.
"When we won the title in 1993, it was the first time in 26 years. That was an incredible incentive for us.
"It was the same when we won the Double for the first time in 1996 and the Treble in 1999 — but this is different.
"It's a challenge of Chelsea versus everyone else. Last season, our main thought was to make sure Arsenal didn't win the Premiership again.
"When it came to the challenge, we were looking in the wrong direction.
"We didn't expect Chelsea to be so strong."