Ferguson in defence of under-fire Reid

MANCHESTER UNITED manager Alex Ferguson has become the latest top-flight manager to come out in defence of Sunderland counterpart Peter Reid.

Two weeks ago, it was Blackburn chief Graeme Souness who leapt to the defence of under-fire Reid, the bookies’ favourite to be the first Premier League manager to be sacked this term. Reid repaid that favour by stringing 10 men behind the ball at Ewood Park and emerging with a 0-0 draw. Reid got a major boost yesterday when not only did he get his man but got two as Sunderland as bolstered their attack with a double swoop ahead of today’s transfer deadline.

They splashed out £10 million to bring both Rangers striker Tore Andre Flo and Ipswich forward Marcus Stewart to Wearside to end a long summer spent trawling the market for frontmen. The pair have both signed three-year deals at the Stadium of Light and could make their debuts against Manchester United.