Ferguson denies playing mind games withWenger

MANCHESTER United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has insisted he has not been intentionally playing 'mind games' with Arsenal counterpart Arsene Wenger.

Ferguson and Wenger have openly aired their opinions on each other's teams in recent weeks, as the race for the Barclaycard Premiership title hots up, with the United boss claiming this week the Gunners have been guilty of "triumphalism."

But Ferguson told the website www.leaguemanagers.com: "It's a lot of nonsense.

"It's something manufactured by the press, that no matter what you say, it's construed as psychological warfare as they call it against your opponents; it's absolute nonsense.

"If you have to have an opinion on the state of your own game then you say it as you see it, but to suggest it's all psychological, it's all nonsense."

Ferguson hopes United can close the gap on leaders Arsenal by the time they meet at Highbury on April 15.

"If we can get to that stage and we go to Highbury then it's up to us, and if we're good enough then we'll be okay, and if not then we don't deserve to win the league."

Despite dismissing his part in any mind games, Ferguson believed Arsenal's forwards might suffer from mental fatigue.

"I think where it might affect them is up front, when you need that sharpness of thought, that sharpness of movement, and when you start playing all the games, there's a hum-drum nature about our football and eventually it can slow forwards down."

But he added: "They're a good side, there's no doubt about that, they're a very good side.

"They deservedly won the league last year; their form away from home was exceptional 15 wins in a row I think it was, which is exceptional form."

However in his customary calm Gallic fashion, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger took a light-hearted swipe at Ferguson by joking about the David Beckham boot incident prior to last night's showdown with Valencia.

Wenger poked fun at Ferguson over the dressing-room row last month when the fiery Scot kicked a football boot which hit the England captain in the eye, suggesting that he would never be so careless.

"I am a two-footed player, I can kick two-footed and where I want I am not clumsy," he joked.

Responding to Ferguson's accusations of triumphalism, Wenger said: "I would not agree with Sir Alex. I would not say we have been triumphalist. We are confident, and there is a big difference.

"Everybody has an opinion and we respect Manchester United's a lot, but our self-belief and confidence are very high. We had a disappointing result at Blackburn on Saturday but apart from that we have done very well.

"We have it all in our own hands. The fact the challenge from United and Newcastle is there is great, it makes it exciting and it will bring the best out of my team."

Arsenal's French midfielder Robert Pires also contributed to the debate. He said: "Ferguson is trying to make us lose concentration. Let him look after his team."