Ferguson fears for Wolves’ chances of survival
Ferguson is facing punishment after being charged by the Football Association following his tirade at fourth official Jeff Winter on Saturday.
But he will be allowed into the United dugout tonight as his team look to maintain their 100% start to the season at the expense of Wolves, who have lost both games so far, shipping nine goals in the process.
Ferguson has a long-standing friendship with Dave Jones dating back to when the Wolves boss used to call in at United’s old training ground at the Cliff for a coffee and a chat when he was manager at Stockport.
He is also aware of the demands placed on Jones having spent four years trekking down the M6 to watch son Darren turn out for Wolves.
And while he would take great pleasure in Jones steering the club to Premiership survival next May, Ferguson conceded the early signs are not good.
“It is not an easy league to come into and if you don’t start well it can kill you,” he said. “In Denis Irwin and Paul Ince, Dave has a couple of players with great experience who I know very well. That gives them a better chance of survival than most but unless he can get another couple of players from the same mould, it may not be enough.”
While Ince is guaranteed his usual rough ride from the home support, Irwin should be afforded a hero’s welcome.
In the 10 years following his £600,000 move from Oldham, the defender became the most decorated player in Old Trafford history and that he is still going strong at 37 is testament to the work he put in on the training ground.
“Denis was an incredible buy for us,” said Ferguson. “Probably one of the greatest bargains of my time as manager here.”
Despite a notoriously short temper, Ferguson has rarely found himself involved in the kind of dispute which marred Saturday’s win at Newcastle and will hope his largely unblemished record will count in his favour.
That will be of little concern tonight as he decides whether to draft in new signings Cristiano Ronaldo and Kleberson for their first starts.
Gary Neville should also be available, although the Old Trafford chief may be reluctant to tinker with a defence which looked in control against Newcastle’s varied attack.
Meanwhile Wolves remain confident of capturing Brazilian star Emerson despite the financial dispute which prevented his arrival in time for tonight’s game.
Emerson and his agent are attempting to thrash out a financial settlement with his current club Atletico Madrid before they seal an £800,000 move to Molineux.
Wolves previously announced they had signed him subject to a medical and a work permit but Dave Jones admitted it was far from a done deal.
The delayed arrival of the former Middlesbrough man is yet another blow for Jones.
He has had three days to rejuvenate his injury-hit side after their humiliation by Charlton in time for their trip to the unbeaten champions.
Shaun Newton, Oleg Luzhny and Dean Sturridge could be added to Jones’ lengthy casualty list while midfielder Kevin Cooper and goalkeeper Matt Murray are out.
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